Zelensky: Withdrawal from Donbas would be strategic defeat for Ukrainian Armed Forces

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that withdrawing Ukrainian troops from parts of the Donbas – specifically areas of the Donetsk region and a small portion of the Luhansk region – would be irresponsible and would amount to a strategic defeat for the military.

According to Ukrinform, the head of state made the remarks in a televised interview while commenting on intensified peace negotiations.

"They [the Russians] want us to withdraw from the Luhansk region [Ukraine controls a small part of the region] and the Donetsk region. Without a doubt, strategically for us this would be a loss, a strategic loss for the Armed Forces. Fortifications and defensive lines – we would definitely become weaker. When our American partners signal, for example, that new fortifications can be built – yes, they can. But that takes time. And why should we do that? Urbanized areas are still stronger than any defensive lines you can build in open fields. This is about urban areas, about 200,000 people living there, about stepping back and weakening our army's morale, and about how many people have already died there. I believe such a step today would be irresponsible," Zelensky said.

He noted that during phone calls, the United States has expressed a desire to continue communication and negotiations, while Russia shows no willingness to end the war even in a "stand where we stand" format.

"This is the fastest way to stop the killing. And all serious actors need to engage in this format – not each playing their own game, but with a shared understanding. We want this. The format is not complicated. […] Let's first achieve a long-term ceasefire – that could mark the end of the war in its combat, military phase. Then we can move to the next steps – diplomatic ones," he said.

Commenting on a possible visit by American negotiators to Ukraine, the president stressed that such a trip is needed more by the United States.

"I believe this visit is needed not by us, but by them. Why? Because it is disrespectful to go to Moscow and not come to Kyiv. I understand our logistics are more complicated, but people do travel here. If they don't want to come, we can meet in other countries. It's not about the location – it's about the result," Zelensky added.

As reported, Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Presidential Office and Ukraine's chief negotiator with Russia, said he sees progress toward a potential peace agreement with the Kremlin, adding that a settlement may not take long.