Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has declared a clear and firm position regarding the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donbass region. According to the head of state, such a decision must not be unilateral, and Russia must take the same steps.
The Ukrainian leader emphasized that when discussing demilitarization, all actions must be reciprocal and based on equality. He argued that if the Ukrainian army withdraws a certain distance, Russian troops must also vacate their positions over the same distance.
“If someone proposes troop withdrawals, it must always be based on the same rule. If we retreat 5 kilometers, they must also retreat 5 kilometers. If we retreat 10 kilometers, they must do the same. Only then can we truly talk about a demilitarized zone,” Zelensky explained.
At the same time, he noted that the most acceptable option for now is for both sides to maintain their current positions. According to the president, this is an important measure to avoid escalating tensions further.
Earlier, Zelensky had mentioned the possibility of holding a referendum on the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the part of Donbass under Kyiv’s control. However, Ukrainian lawmakers, speaking to Politico, openly stated that parliament would not support such an initiative.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin also expressed its stance on the Donbass issue. Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the Russian president, stated that the idea of withdrawing Russian troops from the region has not been completely ruled out.
However, he added that even in the event of troop withdrawal, Rosgvardiya (Russian National Guard) and law enforcement agencies would remain in the area. According to Ushakov, ceasefire would only occur after Ukrainian troops leave Donbass, and over time, the territory is expected to come under full Russian control.
As a result, the situation surrounding Donbass remains complicated. Contradictory statements from both sides suggest that achieving a swift agreement will be challenging in the near future.
Read “Zamin” on Telegram!
Users of Меҳмон are not allowed to comment this publication.
