US links security guarantees to Ukraine giving up Donbas – Zelenskyy (VIDEO)
The US is offering security guarantees as part of a peace deal, provided that Ukraine relinquishes the entire Donbas region. This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with Reuters.
According to him, against the backdrop of the US’s focus on the conflict with Iran, President Donald Trump is stepping up pressure on Ukraine with the aim of bringing a swift end to the war, which has been ongoing for four years since Russia’s invasion in 2022.
“The Middle East is undoubtedly influencing President Trump and, in my opinion, his next steps. Unfortunately, in my view, President Trump is still opting for a strategy of increasing pressure on the Ukrainian side,” said Zelenskyy.
This year, the US, Russia and Ukraine held three rounds of high-level talks in Abu Dhabi and Geneva, seeking to bring an end to the war, which has caused significant destruction and numerous casualties.
Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine needs reliable security guarantees from international partners to prevent further aggression by Russia following the possible conclusion of a peace agreement.
He noted that two key issues regarding such guarantees remain unresolved. These concern the funding of arms purchases to support defence capabilities and specific actions by allies in the event of renewed Russian aggression.
“The Americans are ready to agree on these guarantees at a high level as soon as Ukraine is ready to withdraw its troops from Donbas,” said Zelenskyy, adding that he understands the US position, although he did not take a direct part in the trilateral talks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin insists on full control over Donbas as one of the war’s objectives. At the same time, according to military analysts, the advance of Russian troops remains slow, and capturing the entire region would require significant resources.
Zelenskyy warned that relinquishing Donbas would weaken the security of Ukraine and Europe, as Russia would gain control over fortified defensive positions.
“I would very much like the American side to understand that the eastern part of our country is part of our security guarantees,” he said.
The White House did not immediately comment on these statements.
In January, Zelenskyy stated that the document on security guarantees between Ukraine and the US was fully ready for signing. Following talks in Miami, he noted that work on it was ongoing.
The president also stated that Russia is counting on the US losing interest in the talks if they drag on.
The fourth round of trilateral talks, scheduled for this month, has been postponed due to the conflict with Iran.
Zelenskyy expressed doubt that Russia is prepared to lose hundreds of thousands more troops to fully capture the Donbas, part of which, he said, covers around 6,000 square kilometres.
He also stated that key issues regarding territories and security guarantees could only be resolved at a meeting involving Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and himself.
The President of Ukraine dismissed speculation about his personal relationship with Trump. “I am not a box of chocolates or a car that some people like and others don’t,” he said.
Following the heavy shelling of Ukrainian cities, Zelenskyy thanked the US administration for continuing to supply Patriot air defence systems, despite the growing demand for these systems due to the conflict in the Persian Gulf.
He noted that supplies have not stopped, but their volume remains insufficient.
Ukraine is also continuing to develop its own production of long-range missiles and drones, which allows it to launch retaliatory strikes on Russian territory.
