Withdrawal of Troops from Donbas is a Defeat: Zelensky

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has stated that the withdrawal of the Ukrainian army from Donbas would represent a strategic defeat for Kyiv. His comments were reported by RBC Ukraine.

"They want us to withdraw from the Luhansk and Donetsk regions. Of course, strategically, this is a defeat for us, and for the Armed Forces, it is a defeat as well. The fortifications, the defensive line—we certainly become weaker," Zelensky emphasized.

At the end of March, he announced that Russia had given Ukraine a two-month ultimatum during communications with the American side to withdraw its forces from Donbas. "If Ukraine does not retreat, then Russia will seize Donbas, and there will be other conditions after that," he said.

Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the Russian President, stated that Kyiv must make a decision as soon as possible regarding the withdrawal of troops from Donbas.

Zelensky's decision to withdraw forces from Donbas would open up prospects for a cessation of hostilities, noted Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the Russian President.