Zelenskyy reveals US "compromise vision" for Donbas

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has explained that the US "compromise vision" regarding control over the part of Donbas currently held by Ukraine envisages Ukrainian troops leaving the territory of Donetsk Oblast while Russian forces do not enter it.

Source: Zelenskyy during a meeting with journalists in Kyiv, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy noted that the territorial issue remains unresolved within the peace negotiations, and it is currently difficult to predict "how it will look in the final documents".

He underlined that Russia seeks to take control of the entire Donbas – something Ukraine "cannot accept".

"The Americans are searching for some format. They discussed the issue of a 'free economic zone'. The Americans call it that, and the Russians call it a 'demilitarised zone'," the president said.

He stressed that Ukraine's stance is that forces must remain where they are now along the line of contact. Zelenskyy said that the US side sees the gap between the positions of Ukraine and Russia and is offering a "compromise".

Quote: "They see Ukrainian troops leaving the territory of Donetsk Oblast, and the supposed compromise is that Russian troops do not enter this part of Donetsk Oblast. Who would govern this territory, which they already call a 'free economic zone' or a 'demilitarised zone', they do not know. This is more or less how the compromise vision of the United States looks at the moment."

Details: Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine may not accept such a proposal, because "when you talk to us about compromise, you must offer a fair compromise".

"We need to continue the conversation and try to find answers to all the questions in a way that makes everything more adequate. For example, these forces step back by 5 km, and the others also by 5 km. If one side pulls back 10 km, then the other must do the same. And as in all wars, there must be some form of monitoring," he said.

The president also noted that the issue of territories must be decided by the Ukrainian people – either through elections or a referendum.

Background:

• The FT previously reported that the latest US proposals on a "peace plan" do not include a call for Russia to withdraw its troops from Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine to create a demilitarised zone.
• On 10 December, representatives of Ukraine and the US held talks on Ukraine's reconstruction and economic recovery after the end of the war.

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