President Volodymyr Zelensky said that withdrawing Ukrainian forces from Donbas at the Kremlin’s behest would effectively save hundreds of thousands of Russian troops and allow Moscow to regroup for future offensives, rejecting claims that such a concession would end the war.
Speaking in an interview with the Italian outlet Rai Italia, Zelensky warned that the idea that Russia would stop fighting if Ukraine ceded the eastern region is misleading.
“There is a widespread belief around the world that [Russian leader Vladimir] Putin’s claims that if Ukraine cedes Donbas, the war will end are true,” Zelensky said. “But meanwhile, Russian attacks are increasing.”
Zelensky said Kyiv does not trust Moscow’s assurances and believes that giving up fortified Ukrainian positions in the east would hand Russia a major strategic advantage.
“The exit from Donbas is one of the greatest risks for Ukraine; it could turn into a February 24, 2022, part 2 – another invasion on a massive scale,” he said.
According to him, the current defensive positions in Donbas significantly limit Russia’s ability to advance and force Moscow to commit large numbers of troops to the front.
“Putin understands that if we withdraw, he will keep from 300 thousand to a million of his soldiers, depending on the activity and duration of the offensive in Donbas,” Zelensky said. “Why should we suddenly believe him and give such gifts?”
He added that abandoning the eastern defensive lines would open the way for Russian attacks in multiple directions, including toward the Dnipro region and the Kharkiv area, which he described as two of Ukraine’s most important industrial regions.
Zelensky argued that Ukraine should instead maintain its current positions while seeking a negotiated settlement backed by strong international mediators.
“Given the security guarantees of strong mediators between us and Russia, the most feasible course of action is to stay where we are,” he said.
“I am certain that the war will continue; Russia needs time to prepare and recover its brigades,” Zelensky added.
Zelensky warns that the current Middle East war could reduce US air defense support for Ukraine
Zelensky also has warned that escalating conflict in the Middle East could affect military support for Kyiv, particularly the supply of air defense systems from the US.
He said war in the region raises concerns about the potential redirection of Western defense resources.
“War is never a positive event. Naturally, I’m concerned,” he added.
Zelensky noted that Iran had previously supplied weapons used by Russia in attacks on Ukraine but suggested that Tehran’s current ability to continue such support may be limited.
However, he said Russia had already obtained production licenses and now manufactures drones and missiles independently.
According to Zelensky, Moscow is expanding production infrastructure, including new facilities to produce drones and missiles originally designed in Iran.
He said another major concern is that prolonged conflict in the Middle East could lead Washington to prioritize its own defense needs and those of its allies in the region.
Zelensky warned that in the event of a long war, the US could reduce deliveries of anti-aircraft missiles and air defense systems to Ukraine, a scenario he said “obviously worries us.”
He also confirmed that Kyiv is prepared to share its experience countering Iranian-designed drones with partners in the Middle East.
“We are not involved in this war yet, but Iranian drones have struck civilians,” Zelensky said, adding that some Gulf states have expressed interest in Ukraine’s expertise.
He said Ukraine could provide assistance if requested and added that European and American partners had also encouraged Kyiv to share its experience combating Iranian drones.
Zelensky said he had already spoken with the leaders of Qatar and Abdullah II of Jordan and plans to hold further discussions with other regional leaders.
Ukraine is ready to help protect civilians from drone attacks, he said, though Kyiv itself remains at war and cannot freely provide weapons.
“At the same time, I said quite frankly: we lack something our partners do have, such as Patriot missiles,” Zelensky said, referring to the US-made MIM-104 Patriot air defense system.
He added, however, that Patriot systems are not designed to shoot down Iranian drones, arguing that interceptor UAVs (unmmanned developed by Ukraine could be more effective against that threat.
“So, if we want to exchange technologies and weapons, Ukraine is available,” Zelensky said.
Discussing Russia’s ties with Iran, Zelensky said Moscow and Tehran likely exchanged military technologies even before the current conflict.
He suggested that intelligence services from multiple countries could confirm the presence of Russian-produced components in Iranian drones.
Responding to comments by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni that tensions in the Middle East are linked to Russia’s war against Ukraine, Zelensky said she was “partially right.”
“Today’s events are related,” he said, though he added that the roots of Russia’s invasion lie in the Kremlin itself.