Ukraine peace deal discussions have entered a tense phase as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told Reuters that the United States is conditioning its security guarantees on Kyiv agreeing to cede the eastern Donbas region to Russia. The comments shed light on the difficult balance between achieving international support and maintaining territorial integrity.
Zelenskiy explained that the U.S. is under pressure from its own foreign policy priorities, particularly the conflict with Iran, and is pushing Ukraine toward a swift resolution of the war that began with Russia’s 2022 invasion. “The Middle East definitely has an impact on President Trump, and I think on his next steps. President Trump, unfortunately, in my opinion, still chooses a strategy of putting more pressure on the Ukrainian side,” Zelenskiy said.
Trilateral talks involving the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine have taken place in Abu Dhabi and Geneva this year, aiming to end Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War Two. The war has left vast regions of Ukraine devastated and caused hundreds of thousands of deaths. Zelenskiy has emphasized that strong security guarantees from international partners are critical to prevent Russia from resuming hostilities after any peace deal.
Two questions remain central to these negotiations. First, who will fund Ukraine’s weapons purchases to sustain its military deterrent. Second, how would allies respond if Russia acts aggressively in the future. Zelenskiy stated, “The Americans are prepared to finalise these guarantees at a high level once Ukraine is ready to withdraw from Donbas,” highlighting the conditional nature of the offer. He acknowledged the complexity of the American position while noting that he had not been directly involved in the trilateral talks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin insists that control of the entire Donbas region is essential to Moscow’s war objectives. Yet Russia’s advance has been slow over the past two years. Analysts note that capturing the region, which includes heavily fortified cities known as the Fortress Belt, would require substantial manpower and time.
Zelenskiy warned that withdrawing from Donbas would jeopardize not only Ukraine’s security but also that of Europe, by giving Russia control of strategic defensive positions. “I would very much like the American side to understand that the eastern part of our country is part of our security guarantees,” he said. He added that while a security guarantees document with the U.S. was reportedly ready in January, further work is needed after recent Miami talks.
The Ukrainian president also suggested that Russia is betting on Washington losing interest if negotiations stall. A fourth round of trilateral talks, originally scheduled this month, was postponed due to the Iran conflict. Zelenskiy questioned whether Russia would risk sacrificing hundreds of thousands more soldiers to seize the remaining 6,000 square kilometers of Donbas. He stressed that a summit involving Trump, Putin, and himself remains the only realistic path to resolving territorial disputes and achieving a lasting peace.
Despite previous tensions, Zelenskiy acknowledged continued support from the Trump administration, particularly the supply of Patriot missile defense systems amid Gulf tensions. While these deliveries are vital, he noted they remain insufficient to meet Ukraine’s full defense requirements.
