Zelensky: US Links Security Guarantees to Donbas Withdrawal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that the United States is linking postwar security guarantees to Kyiv's withdrawal from the Russian-occupied Donbas region, a condition aimed at accelerating peace talks in the ongoing war triggered by Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Speaking from Kyiv, Zelensky described the proposal as a high-stakes demand that could undermine Ukraine's defenses at a time when Washington is increasingly focused on its conflict with Iran.

The war, now in its fourth year, has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and widespread destruction across Ukraine, marking Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II. Zelensky, in recent discussions, emphasized that robust international security commitments are essential to deter future Russian aggression. However, he said the U.S. proposal hinges on Ukraine ceding the entire eastern Donbas area, including fortified positions that serve as a critical defensive barrier. "The Americans are prepared to finalize these guarantees at a high level once Ukraine is ready to withdraw from Donbas," Zelensky stated, adding that such a move would compromise not only Ukraine's security but also that of...