Zelenskyy: Handing Over Donbas to Russia Would Not Stop Putin

In an interview with Denmark’s DR Nyheder television, Zelenskyy stated he does not believe that surrendering the portion of Donbas currently not under Russian control to Vladimir Putin—the initiator of the war—would lead the Kremlin to end hostilities. On the contrary, Zelenskyy warned that Putin would likely resume military action after a temporary pause.

“No one believes that if we give up Donbas, Putin will stop. He will only pause temporarily and then return within a year, two years, or five years. Who will be responsible then?”

Zelenskyy emphasized that offering Ukrainian territory in exchange for peace is merely empty rhetoric.

“This is not just a matter of practicality—it is fundamentally an issue of principle. Putin initially spoke about Donbas, but his ultimate aim was never limited to that region; he sought to capture our capital, Kyiv. What he said publicly—protecting Russian-speaking populations—contradicts what he has done on the ground, including the mass killing of civilians in Bucha and elsewhere. His true objective was never about protecting Russian speakers.”

Zelenskyy revealed that U.S. officials had asked him: “Can you trade Donbas for security guarantees?”

He responded immediately: “Could you clarify exactly what you mean? What kind of security guarantee? Is it accession to NATO?”

The U.S. reply: “Not NATO membership, but something akin to NATO-level assurance.”

Zelenskyy countered: “Something ‘akin’ to NATO? But when it comes to Donbas, you are not seeking anything ‘akin’—you want a definitive resolution. That is your goal, and it is also Putin’s current objective. If we receive assurances that are not NATO-based, how should we respond?”

Zelenskyy also referenced Ukraine’s past disarmament, including the dismantling of its nuclear arsenal.

“I personally do not support nuclear weapons—I believe a world without them would be better. But Russia took away our nuclear capability, and that fact remains. Afterward, Russia obstructed Ukraine’s integration into Europe and blocked our path toward NATO membership, before launching a full-scale invasion. Thus, the idea of trading territory for security is inherently illusory.”

According to The Economist, external actors have attempted to craft a scenario in which Putin could claim victory in Ukraine without having to relinquish actual control over Donbas. A proposed “mapping trick” involves redrawing administrative boundaries so that Russia can proclaim full control over Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts while Ukraine retains de facto control over other cities and towns.

Meanwhile, The Daily Telegraph reported that Donald Trump is preparing to negotiate a multifaceted agreement with Putin, extending beyond Ukraine. The proposed deal would include discussions on Iran and the future geopolitical order in Europe. According to the report, Putin may leverage his ties with Iran to facilitate the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz—a critical maritime chokepoint through which a large share of global oil exports pass.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1881474566802432/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.