Zelensky Says Ukraine Will Not Give Up Donbass In Exchange For Ceasefire

• 23.02.2026, 11:48

The Ukrainian president said that "it would be a betrayal."

Ukraine's withdrawal from the remaining territories of Donbas, as demanded by the Kremlin in the peace talks, may cause a split in society and shake the country's position.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky told this in an interview with BBC. The Ukrainian head of state emphasized that for him Donbass is not just a territory. When asked why Ukraine could not give up 20% of the territories of the Donetsk region in exchange for a ceasefire, Zelensky said that this would lead to a split in society.

"I look at it differently. I don't see it simply as land. I see it as a betrayal - weakening our position, throwing hundreds of thousands of our people who live there to their fate. That's how I see it. And I am sure that this 'withdrawal' will split our society," he said.

He also said that Ukraine will not only not lose, but will come out of the war victorious. He is also against withdrawing from strategically important positions that Russia has failed to occupy.

Zelensky also believes that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has already started World War III. He added that the world should put military and economic pressure on Russia to force it to back down.