Zelensky Says Russia Misled US on Donbas Control

Key Points:

• President Zelensky accused Russian negotiators of making false claims about controlling half of the Ukrainian-held territory in Donbas, stating Russian President Putin appears to be operating in a different reality regarding the war’s progress.
• Zelensky expressed readiness to discuss territorial issues directly with Putin under US and European mediation but firmly rejected Moscow’s demands for Ukrainian withdrawals, emphasizing the complexity and sensitivity of such negotiations.
• He called for increased economic pressure on Russia rather than expanding commercial engagement or lifting sanctions, while defending ongoing negotiations as valuable, including potential prisoner exchanges.
• Zelensky warned against US-Russia talks on European security architecture potentially reviving Putin’s earlier demands, insisting that ending the war and securing guarantees for Ukraine must precede broader security discussions.
• Rejecting forgiveness without accountability, Zelensky emphasized that those responsible for atrocities must be legally held accountable and reiterated Ukraine’s demand for Russia to end its aggression and seek a diplomatic resolution.