Zelensky reveals Washington and Moscow's condition for ending the Ukraine war
In a striking statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed on Friday that both Washington and Moscow have set a common condition for ending the ongoing war in his country: the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. Zelensky indicated that this demand places Kyiv under immense pressure, particularly from the United States, which views Ukraine as being in a “more difficult situation.”.
Background of the conflict in Donbas
The Donbas region, encompassing the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, has been at the heart of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict since 2014. Following Russia's annexation of Crimea, fierce fighting erupted in eastern Ukraine between Ukrainian forces and Moscow-backed separatists. The region has since become a battleground for a protracted war of attrition, and despite the signing of the Minsk agreements, which aimed to establish a ceasefire and find a political solution, they have failed to bring lasting peace.
Donbas holds immense strategic and economic importance for Ukraine, having been the country's main industrial center, rich in coal mines and steel mills. Control of this region represents not only a military victory but also a devastating blow to the Ukrainian economy and national sovereignty.
The importance of the statement and its expected impact
Zelensky's statement comes at a critical time, as direct negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow remain stalled, particularly regarding the fate of the Donbas region. Currently, Russian forces control most of Luhansk and about 80% of Donetsk, while the Ukrainian army still controls roughly 20% of the latter province and is engaged in fierce fighting to maintain control.
Zelensky conveyed a clear message from both the American and Russian sides, stating, “The Americans and Russians are saying that if you want the war to end tomorrow, get out of Donbas.” This statement reveals the depth of the disagreements not only with the enemy but also with allies. While Washington provides unprecedented military and financial support to Kyiv, there appears to be behind-the-scenes diplomatic pressure to push Ukraine toward painful territorial concessions to end the conflict, which has impacted global security and economic stability.
Kyiv's refusal to relinquish control of Donbas stems from the fundamental principle of preserving its territorial integrity and sovereignty. Any concession on this matter would be perceived as rewarding the aggressor and would set a dangerous precedent in international relations. Therefore, Ukraine's position remains firm in its refusal to cede its territory, making a diplomatic solution unlikely as long as each side adheres to its own conditions.
