Recently, media published reports claiming that Ukraine allegedly agreed to withdraw its troops from the Donetsk region as part of a negotiation process mediated by the US and Russia. However, Ukraine's official position is to refuse to withdraw forces from its own territory. President Volodymyr Zelensky has emphasized that such a decision does not serve the country's interests, and all major issues should be decided by the people through a referendum or elections.
The Constitution of Ukraine guarantees the inviolability and integrity of the country's borders. Changes to the borders are possible only through a national referendum, yet even in peacetime, amendments that reduce the territory are strictly forbidden. During martial law, the constitution cannot be amended at all. Thus, legally, troop withdrawals or territorial concessions are impossible.
Proposals have also surfaced regarding the limitation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to 800,000 personnel, which is viewed as an unacceptable restriction of sovereignty. Such conditions are typical only for nations that have officially capitulated in wars, not for Ukraine.
The negotiation process is accompanied by information pressure, individual statements from the US and Russia, and offers to create special economic zones. However, the issues of territorial integrity and army size remain the most contentious.
Experts stress that accepting such terms would have significant political consequences, including widespread public indignation and risks to sovereignty. Ukrainian leadership highlights the inadmissibility of any compromises regarding territory and the army, while also calling on the international community to consider the will of the people.
Therefore, even under external pressure, Ukraine cannot legally or politically agree to withdraw its troops or cede Donetsk. Any agreement that contradicts the Constitution is not legitimate and would carry no legal consequences for the country.
