Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has addressed reports suggesting that Russia may exit negotiations if Ukraine does not agree to territorial concessions. Zelensky firmly stated, “My position on territorial integrity and sovereignty cannot change.” He emphasized the importance of continuing discussions to find a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
In an interview with Radio Free Europe, Zelensky remarked that if any party chooses to withdraw from negotiations, alternative formats will be sought to compel Russia to end the war. His comments come amid concerns raised by Bloomberg, citing sources close to the Kremlin, indicating that Russian officials are increasingly considering a withdrawal from talks involving the United States unless Ukraine agrees to Moscow’s demands.
According to these anonymous sources, Russia’s primary condition remains the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Donetsk region. They assert that Russia is prepared to sign a draft memorandum for a peace agreement, contingent upon Ukraine making concessions. Reports suggest that Russia may be willing to pull back its troops from parts of Sumy, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk regions, while not insisting on expanding control in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
The upcoming negotiations, scheduled for March 4-5, are expected to be pivotal. The outcomes of these discussions will likely determine whether the parties can make progress towards a genuine ceasefire agreement or if they will reach an impasse.
So far, there has been no official comment from Moscow regarding the Bloomberg report. However, Russian officials have consistently reiterated that the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbas is a non-negotiable demand.
Zelensky has repeatedly stated that he will not cede any Ukrainian territory to Russian control. Throughout January and February, several trilateral meetings involving Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia have taken place, but specific results have not been disclosed. Notably, a meeting on February 5 resulted in an agreement for a prisoner exchange, the first in five months.
U.S. Special Envoy Stephen Witkoff recently expressed optimism about potential progress in the coming weeks, suggesting a possible meeting between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Despite U.S. mediation efforts, Russia has shown little willingness to soften its demands, which include Ukraine’s relinquishment of territories in Donbas. Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War have noted that Russian officials signal an unwillingness to settle for mere territorial concessions.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to seek robust security guarantees from the U.S. and European allies to protect itself against future Russian aggression.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reaffirmed his stance on territorial integrity amidst reports of Russia considering a withdrawal from peace talks. The upcoming negotiations are crucial for determining the future of the conflict, as both sides face significant demands and conditions.
Source: Bloomberg