Zelenskyy confirms Russia still demands all of Donbas in “peace” plan
After meetings with American and European officials in Berlin on 15 December, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Russia still demands full control of eastern Ukraine's Donbas in its so-called peace plan. He said Ukraine will not surrender any of its internationally recognized territory and rejected any compromise on the Donbas.
Zelenskyy: Russia still wants Donbas — Ukraine won’t give it up
Speaking at a 15 December online press conference attended by Euromaidan Press, Zelenskyy said Moscow still demands the entire Donbas in negotiations.
“Their position has not changed,” he said. “We do not want to give up our Donbas.”
He made clear that Ukraine will not recognize Russian control over any part of the region, either legally or in practice.
"Neither de jure nor de facto will we recognize Donbas – its temporarily occupied part – as Russian. Absolutely. Nevertheless, we are discussing the territorial issue. You know it is one of the key issues. At this point, there is no consensus on it yet," the President said.
Zelenskyy also addressed American suggestions to create a “free economic zone” in the area, saying that "a “free economic zone” does not mean under the control of the Russian Federation." He stressed that this issue remains one of the most sensitive points in the talks and no consensus has been reached.
Zelenskyy previously told Bloomberg that the territorial issue — specifically Russia’s demand for the Donbas — remains the main unresolved point in talks. On 19 November, media reported that US envoy Steve Witkoff had presented a 28-point peace plan to Trump, allegedly developed with Russian representative Kirill Dmitriev. The plan called for Ukraine to withdraw from Donetsk Oblast and drop its NATO ambitions. Some of those provisions have since been removed, shortening the plan to 20 points.
No compromise on territory, but security talks advance
While territorial discussions remain stuck, Zelenskyy said there has been real progress in other areas, especially on security guarantees. He reiterated the US Congress is expected to vote on legally binding commitments that would require a response if Russia violates any future peace deal or ceasefire. The proposed mechanism would mirror NATO’s Article 5, providing a collective response to aggression.
75% of Ukrainians oppose “peace plan,” which includes withdrawal of troops from Donbas
The Ukrainian President said detailed talks have also covered Ukraine’s long-term defense needs, including the size of its army, required weapons and training, and sustainable funding. He welcomed growing cooperation between the US and Europe, noting that the broader Coalition of the Willing — now called Europe+ — includes Canada and other non-EU partners.
Russia’s response will shape the next steps
Zelenskyy warned that if Russian President Vladimir Putin rejects the proposals, Ukraine will request more weapons and tougher sanctions from the US. He said this would be a fair reaction to a complete refusal by Moscow to engage in a peaceful resolution.
He added that around 90% of the draft peace documents have been agreed. The next phase includes consultations between the US and Russia, further talks in the United States, and potentially a summit with US President Donald Trump.
Asked about holding a referendum on the final peace agreement, Zelenskyy said no such plans exist for now. He noted that any vote would require a ceasefire and a secure environment, and that Ukraine is focused on easing the burden on civilians already suffering from war.
