Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Ukraine will not withdraw from Donbas, responding to reports that the issue of territorial exchange may be discussed at a meeting between US and Russian presidents. The Ukrainian President stressed that Ukraine will not give Russia 30% of Donetsk region, which could become a launching pad for further Russian offensives.
Zelensky also noted that in his conversation with Donald Trump, he referenced Ukraine’s Constitution, which prohibits unilateral territorial changes. He highlighted that Ukraine’s territory is not private property, and thus its borders cannot be altered without public consent.
According to analyst Vitaliy Portnikov, the idea of exchanging territories is advantageous for Russia’s leadership because if Ukraine agrees, it could destabilize the country. If it refuses, Russia can claim Ukraine rejects peace. In both scenarios, the Russian president seeks to weaken Kyiv’s position.
Portnikov believes Russia’s goal for the coming years is to destabilize Ukraine since it cannot fully conquer the country militarily. Therefore, it’s essential for Ukraine to preserve its statehood and act prudently in negotiations.
