Russia gives Ukraine two months to leave Donbas, Zelenskyy says. It has been trying to take the region by force since 2022.
Ukraine’s president said he is “surprised” anyone believes giving up the east will stop the war.
31/03/2026
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 9 February 2026. Photo: Zelenskiy / Official on Telegram
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is “surprised” that anyone believes the war would end if Ukraine withdrew from Donbas, Interfax-Ukraine reports.
Speaking to journalists at a Bucha summit on Tuesday, Zelenskyy criticized claims that the conflict could be resolved simply by Kyiv ceding territory in eastern Ukraine.
“So far, what Russia wants and what some partners are spreading is this: they see the end of the war, or the hot phase of the war, when Ukraine leaves the East. I am surprised that anyone can believe this,” he said.
Russia gives Ukraine two months to leave Donbas.
The president said Russian officials are pressuring Ukraine with a two-month timeline to vacate Donbas, claiming they can seize the region within that period. “And if Ukraine does not leave within two months, then Russia will seize Donbas and after that there will be different conditions,” Zelenskyy said.
He questioned the logic of limiting Russia’s objectives to Donbas alone. “If their goal is only Donbas, then why do they say they will go further and then there will be other conditions? In my view, the issue is not Donbas after all,” he said, suggesting Moscow’s ambitions extend beyond eastern Ukraine.
Zelenskyy says Russia is pressuring Washington – and the US can push back
Zelenskyy also highlighted Russian efforts to influence US policy, particularly ahead of the American midterm elections.
“I believe today Russia is putting pressure on America. I believe America can put pressure on Russia. That moment is coming, and it is clear that the United States needs to take various steps, both domestically and in foreign policy,” he said.
He stressed Ukraine’s ongoing diplomatic efforts, noting engagement in the Middle East to reinforce Kyiv’s sovereignty and international recognition. “We are fighting for Ukraine and for the subjectivity of our state, which already exists everywhere today, and in the Middle East there is clear confirmation of that,” Zelenskyy said.
The comments underscore Kyiv’s rejection of proposals that involve territorial concessions as a shortcut to ending the war, emphasizing that Russian aggression will not be resolved through Ukrainian withdrawal from Donbas.
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Encouraged by the stupidity of the still staunchly pro/ruZZia Krasnov regime, the putinaZis continue to press with their ridiculous demands.
Despite the putler-directed Iranian attack on US assets, Kremlin West continues its loathsome support for putler and continues to make vile accusations against Zel.
The putinaZis are implacable. If they take all Donbas by military force, that will only be the beginning of a new war to take all Ukraine. They want Mykolaiv and Odesa oblasts next, then Moldova.
They are prepared to lose millions of orcs to achieve this no matter how long it takes.
Forcing Ukraine to cede Donbas to child murdering nazis politically, which is what Krasnov wants, would be a grotesque reward for genocide.
Gary Kasparov at the NATO Public Forum:
“The liberation of Russia from Putin’s fascism will not start until the Ukrainian flag is raised over Sevastopol. Period. Anything else is wishful thinking.
You have to kill the idea of empire in the minds of Russians. They have to understand the war is lost. Ukraine must win. Ukrainian victory includes three things: liberation, reparation, and justice.”
The big debate is whether it’s Russia’s war or Putin’s war. Unfortunately, it’s Russia’s war. Every Russian, myself included, has a responsibility for the crimes committed in Ukraine.
People who want to leave from Putin’s ‘North Korea’ to our, let’s say, virtual ‘South Korea’ have to say three things in five seconds without stuttering: The war is criminal; The regime is illegitimate; Crimea is Ukraine.”