Zelenskyy excludes withdrawal from Donbas due to threats

• Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine will not withdraw its troops from Donbas.
• Withdrawal may lead to a new aggression from Russia.
• The issue of territorial exchanges is related to security guarantees.

This is reported by Ukrayinska Pravda, Interfax Ukraine, RBC Ukraine.

The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukrainian troops will not be withdrawn from Donbas, as this may lead to a new aggression from Russia. He noted that Donbas is an important platform for possible attacks, and withdrawal from this territory would create a threat of a third war.

Zelenskyy pointed out that the territory of Donbas, which is currently controlled by Ukraine, is illegally occupied. If Ukraine agrees to withdraw its troops from Donbas, it will open the way for further aggression, particularly in the direction of Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions, as well as Kharkiv.

The president emphasized that the issue of territorial exchanges cannot be resolved without security guarantees for Ukraine. He stated that at this moment Russia is trying to seize about 30% of the territory of Donetsk region, which would amount to nearly 9,000 square kilometers.

Zelenskyy also mentioned that withdrawal of troops from Donbas could lead to new military operations from Russia, which are already being formed through the use of mercenaries from occupied territories. According to him, Ukraine cannot allow a repeat of the scenario that led to the annexation of Crimea.

Tags: Ukraine/Russia/Politics