Zelenskyy vows never to leave Donbass as peace talks stall over territory

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a defiant message Tuesday regarding the Donbass region, stating unequivocally that he will "never leave Donbass and the 200,000 Ukrainians who live there." In an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera, Zelenskyy revealed that US-mediated peace talks with Russia have become "stuck" on the territorial question, with Washington proposing possible territory swaps while Moscow demands complete Ukrainian withdrawal from the area.

Compromise Proposals Rejected

Zelenskyy said he accepted President Donald Trump's proposal to freeze the Donbass front line despite disagreeing with the compromise, but noted that "the Russians, however, refused and want our complete withdrawal from Donbass." When the US then proposed demilitarized zones and free economic zones on both sides of the front, Russia insisted such measures should apply only on the Ukrainian side—a condition Zelenskyy described as "pure madness." He argued that withdrawing from territory would create a forward base for Russian advances toward central Ukraine, asking rhetorically why Ukraine should "trade our territory for something else that's part of our homeland."

Elections Post-War

Addressing the question of elections in Ukraine, Zelenskyy—whose presidential term ended in May 2024—emphasized that voting will only occur after the war ends, not during a temporary ceasefire. He expressed uncertainty about whether he would run, stating "I'll see what the Ukrainians want." The negotiations currently concern approximately 5,800 square kilometers of Donbass territory, with Zelenskyy insisting that any resolution must prevent further Russian aggression rather than merely pause the conflict.