US Conditions Ukraine Security Guarantees on Giving Up Donbas

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said that the United States is linking future security guarantees for Ukraine to a major condition — that Kyiv gives up control of the Donbas region.

In an interview, Zelenskiy explained that while long-term security assurances from the U.S. are crucial for protecting Ukraine from future attacks, they are now being discussed alongside possible territorial concessions. This has raised serious concerns in Kyiv, as Ukraine has consistently refused to surrender any part of its land.

Zelenskiy warned that withdrawing from Donbas would weaken Ukraine’s defense capabilities and could leave the country vulnerable. He stressed that any peace deal must not come at the cost of national sovereignty, a position Ukraine has maintained since the conflict with Russia escalated in 2022.

• Zelenskiy says US links security guarantees to Donbas deal
• Ukraine resists territorial concessions amid peace talks
• Donbas remains key hurdle in Ukraine war negotiations

The development comes at a time when diplomatic talks to end the Ukraine war have intensified. Negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia, and Western allies have taken place in multiple locations this year, but progress has been slow. The future of Donbas remains one of the most difficult issues to resolve, with both sides holding firm on their positions.

Zelenskiy also pointed to changing global priorities in Washington, suggesting that the U.S. is keen to bring the conflict to an end while managing other international challenges. At the same time, he acknowledged continued American support and thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for maintaining military assistance to Ukraine.

Ukraine continues to push for strong and reliable Western support from its allies. Officials in Kyiv believe that without such commitments, any peace agreement could be short-lived, allowing Russia to regroup and potentially launch new attacks in the future.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has been strengthening its own military strength, including expanding its drone and missile programs, to better respond to ongoing threats.

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As negotiations continue, the situation remains uncertain. The key question is whether Ukraine can secure lasting peace without compromising its territorial integrity — a balance that remains difficult to achieve.