Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy says US has linked security guarantees to ceding of Donbas
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Trump administration reportedly links Ukraine security guarantees to ceding Donbas territory to Russia, per Zelenskyy.
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Zelenskyy said the Trump administration has made security guarantees for a Ukraine peace deal conditional on Kyiv ceding the Donbas region to Russia, according to a Reuters interview. The Ukrainian president attributed the pressure to the US focus on its conflict with Iran, saying Trump is pushing Ukraine toward a quick end to the four-year war triggered by Russia's 2022 invasion. Zelenskyy argued that retaining the eastern Donbas should be part of any security arrangement, rejecting the framing that territorial concessions are necessary for a deal. The disclosure reveals a fundamental rift over peace terms between Washington and Kyiv, with Trump seeking rapid de-escalation while Ukraine seeks to preserve sovereignty over contested territory. The statement marks an escalation in public criticism of US negotiating positions by Ukraine's leadership.
What's Being Done
Zelenskyy publicly criticized U.S. negotiating positions, escalating tension between Washington and Kyiv over peace terms.
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