Washington demands Ukrainian withdrawal from border region with Russia for high-level protection agreement
The United States has set as a condition for offering security guarantees to Ukraine that the country cedes the entire eastern region of Donbas to Russia. The information was released this Wednesday (25 March 2026) by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Servant of the People, Center) in an interview with the agency.
The Ukrainian leader said withdrawal would compromise the security of Ukraine and Europe. According to him, Washington is ready to finalize security guarantees at a high level only when Ukraine is ready to withdraw from Donbas.
The Ukrainian president has repeatedly stated that robust security guarantees from international partners are necessary to ensure that Russia does not renew hostilities in the future.
“The Middle East definitely has an impact on President Trump, and I think his next steps. President Trump, unfortunately, in my opinion, still chooses a strategy of putting more pressure on the Ukrainian side.”Zelensky told Reuters.
Russia insists on control over territory in Donbas, which is still under Ukrainian control. Zelensky, on the other hand, said that withdrawal from the region, formed by the cities of Donetsk and Luhansk, could compromise the security of Ukraine and Europe. The cession would cede the defensive positions of the border territory to Russia.
