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The United States frequently raises the issue of Ukraine withdrawing from Donbas as a way to end the war, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a press conference in Dublin on November 11.
“The American side has raised the issue of Donbas, part of our Ukrainian land, very frequently. Of course, they focus on the idea that they believe we must withdraw from our territory to stop this war. But it is impossible to talk to us in this way. They are trying to find some modifications. I have heard different things. I will not go into details now, because it would take hours to discuss all these modifications,” Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy stressed that ending the war depends on US pressure on Russia. The Ukrainian president reiterated the need for a meeting at the leaders’ level to resolve “sensitive issues.”
Zelenskyy said that during trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and the United States in Abu Dhabi, the parties discussed a large-scale prisoner exchange of 1,000 for 1,000 or 1,200 for 1,200.
He also said the Ukrainian delegation raised the issue of an energy ceasefire and a ceasefire at sea, but the Russian side said it had no mandate to discuss these issues. The US side promised to raise the matter at a meeting with Vladimir Putin.
Several options for security guarantees for Ukraine were also discussed during the talks. Zelenskyy stressed that Kyiv needs security guarantees from the United States, not Russia, because the United States is a security leader.
Zelenskyy drew attention to political changes expected in Europe in 2027 and the changes already underway in the United States, saying there was a window of opportunity to achieve results before 2027.
According to Zelenskyy, the US side should discuss specific proposals with Putin, but he does not believe Putin will provide substantive answers.
“The Americans have flown to Putin with specific proposals. I would very much like them to return to Dublin with concrete results. I do not really believe that will happen. Allow me to be the skeptic on this team. But there is still hope,” he said.
The two-day trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi concluded today. US representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to Russia for talks with Putin on November 12 before flying to Dublin to meet with Zelenskyy.