Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asserts that the US is mistaken in believing that a withdrawal from Donbas would lead to the end of the war, emphasizing the continuing threat posed by Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed his concerns about the short-sighted nature of US expectations regarding the conflict with Russia. In an interview with the Financial Times, he questioned whether American officials truly believe that if Ukraine conceded parts of the Donbas region not currently occupied by Russian forces, it would prompt Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to cease hostilities. Zelenskyy conveyed his belief that Russia's demands extend far beyond the current territorial disputes and that trusting Moscow's intentions would be fundamentally misguided.
Zelenskyy also criticized the concept of a temporary ceasefire that lacks dependable Western security guarantees, arguing that such an arrangement would only benefit Russia by allowing it to regroup and fortify its military capabilities for future offensive actions. He pointedly rejected Putin's narrative suggesting that a pause in the conflict would enable Ukraine to regroup, labeling it as deceptive rhetoric. Instead, the Ukrainian President argued for a decisive end to hostilities rather than any temporary measures that might inadvertently strengthen Russia's hand in the conflict.
By emphasizing that Ukraine requires assurance rather than pauses in the fighting, Zelenskyy seeks to rally both domestic and international support towards a more robust strategy against Russia. His statements highlight the ongoing volatility of the situation and the critical need for strategic decision-making among Western allies to ensure Ukraine can defend itself against further aggression as the conflict continues to evolve.
