Ukraine Rejects Donetsk Withdrawal in Peace Talks: Report
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, a German newspaper, Bild, reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s refusal to concede territory remains a major obstacle in peace talks. The report cites discussions between Zelenskyy and a U.S. delegation in Berlin on Sunday.
Bild indicates that a 28-point American proposal formed the basis of the Berlin talks. The proposal reportedly suggests Ukraine forgo NATO membership and hold new elections within 100 days, conditions Kyiv has said it might consider.
However, Zelenskyy has firmly rejected ceding territory. According to the report, the proposal’s 21st point would recognize Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk “de facto” as Russian territory, establishing the contact lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia as the new border. The proposal also suggests a Ukrainian troop withdrawal from parts of Donetsk.
While Zelenskyy is reportedly open to halting hostilities at the front lines and temporarily accepting Russia’s de facto control over some occupied regions, he deems a unilateral withdrawal from Donetsk “unacceptable.” He reportedly warned that such a move could lead to a swift Russian occupation of the area, effectively signaling surrender.
Zelenskyy also responded to a proposal to establish a demilitarized economic zone in eastern Ukraine, questioning who would govern it. He insists any withdrawal must be mutual and simultaneous, a point of continued contention.
