Ukraine will not agree to a peace deal that calls for the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbas.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Kyiv does not trust vladimir putin, and that demands to cede territory cannot serve as the basis for ending the war.
The head of state made these remarks during a press conference in Dublin.
The head of state explained that demands for Ukraine to leave Donbas are a simple way to reach an agreement with russia, but Kyiv is not prepared to accept such conditions.
“This is a simple way to negotiate with the russians: put pressure on us to leave Donbas, and there will be a deal. We are not ready for such a deal; we are not ready to trust putin,” – Zelenskyy said.
He also expressed hope that the United States, together with its European partners, would seek another path to ending the war – one that does not involve pressuring Ukraine to make territorial concessions.
“Of course, it’s easier to put pressure on us, but I hope the U.S. will find another way, together with Europe. We are counting on that,” – the President emphasized.
As the Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, trilateral talks between Ukraine, the U.S., and russia began on November 10 in Abu Dhabi.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that on the first day of the talks in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), representatives from Ukraine, the U.S., and russia discussed humanitarian measures, security guarantees for Ukraine, and the need for de-escalation steps.
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