© Getty Images The US ties peace to compromises.
The United States is reportedly making the granting of security assurances, crucial for a Ukrainian peace agreement, dependent on Kyiv’s consent to cede control of the entire Donbas region to Russia, as stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a discussion with Reuters.
As per the Ukrainian head of state, while the US is absorbed in its own confrontation with Iran, President Donald Trump is exerting pressure on Ukraine, seeking a swift resolution to the war, which has endured for four years following Russia’s incursion in 2022.
“The Middle East undeniably influences President Trump and, I believe, his subsequent actions. Regrettably, in my view, President Trump continues to pursue a tactic of escalating pressure on the Ukrainian side,” Zelensky noted.
The Ukrainian President has repeatedly underscored that achieving peace necessitates robust international security pledges that will prevent Russia from renewing hostilities in the future.
According to him, the US stands ready to finalize these assurances at a prominent level, but exclusively after Ukraine agrees to relinquish Donbas.
“The Americans are prepared to complete these assurances at a high echelon as soon as Ukraine is prepared to withdraw from Donbas,” he articulated.
Zelensky cautioned that such a measure would jeopardize the security not only of Ukraine, but also of the entirety of Europe, as Russia would secure dominance over formidable defensive positions within the area.
The White House has not yet offered commentary on these assertions.
In January, Zelenskyy proclaimed that the document concerning security assurances between Ukraine and the United States was “100% finalized” and awaiting signature.
However, subsequent to discussions between American and Ukrainian representatives in Miami, he communicated that further work remains on the document.
In the president’s assessment, Russia, which insists on the transfer of the Donbas territories to its control, is relying on the US to lose interest in the dialogues.
“Russia anticipates that Washington will disengage from the process,” he remarked.
On the ground, Russia is steadily advancing in eastern Ukraine. Military experts suggest that it could require years and considerable resources to completely seize the region, which encompasses the so-called “belt of fortresses” — fortified Ukrainian urban centers.
Following the extensive Russian bombardment of Ukrainian cities on Wednesday, Zelensky expressed gratitude to the Trump administration for sustaining supplies of Patriot air defense systems, despite their escalating demand due to the conflict in the Persian Gulf.
Ukrainian officials have previously voiced concerns that shipments of these systems — the only ones capable of intercepting Russian ballistic projectiles — could be curtailed due to a conflict with Iran.
“The shipments have not been halted. I am deeply thankful to President Trump and his staff. However, the quantity of these Patriot missiles remains inadequate,” Zelensky stated.
The president also conveyed that Ukraine is making headway in producing its own long-range projectiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, which will empower it to strike deep within Russian territory in retaliation for attacks on Ukrainian cities.