Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with Axios that the Ukrainian people will never accept a peace treaty that would provide for the unilateral withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Eastern Donbas and the transfer of these territories to Russia. According to the president, such a step would be perceived by the population as a betrayal and would fail in any referendum.
Zelensky considered US President Donald Trump’s public pressure, which is aimed only at forcing Ukraine to make concessions, to be unfair. He emphasized that although he is ready to discuss withdrawing troops, it is only on a mirror principle and without giving up sovereignty.
As a possible compromise, the Ukrainian president proposes a ceasefire along the current line of contact, which the people can approve. Speaking about the country’s domestic political life, Zelensky did not rule out his participation in any new elections held under conditions of a stable ceasefire. However, he described the one-day ceasefire proposed by Russia for the vote as absurd.
