Russia should withdraw to no less than pre-2022 entrance line, Zelensky says

Russia has to drag again its troops to no less than the entrance line because it was earlier than the full-scale invasion in 2022, President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned on Feb. 15 in an interview with Newsmax.

Zelensky's feedback come after earlier within the week, U.S. Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth mentioned that Ukraine was unlikely to revive its pre-2014 borders in any negotiations with Moscow on ending its battle. Consultants and officers in Ukraine and Europe have criticized Hegseth's feedback for undermining Ukraine's leverage earlier than peace talks with Russia have even began.

Zelensky instructed Newsmax that U.S. President Donald Trump may finish Russia's battle if Europe helps his plan.

"I feel that he (Trump) wants, very a lot, the success, and, in any other case, all people will say that (this) was the road of Biden and that is the road of Trump. I feel he wants success, and we want success and belief him. I hope that he will likely be on our facet," Zelensky added.

Trump has repeatedly pledged to swiftly finish the battle in Ukraine though he by no means offered a plan for attaining that.

On Feb. 12, Trump held separate calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky. Trump referred to as Putin first, saying later that the 2 leaders agreed that negotiations to finish the battle in Ukraine will begin "instantly."

Zelensky careworn {that a} peace deal "can solely be a couple of plan to finish the battle," which must be agreed upon between Ukraine and the U.S. president and backed by each side.

Zelensky mentioned he was prepared to satisfy with the Russian president solely after a joint plan with Trump and the European Union was developed.

Russia invaded Ukraine's japanese Donbas area and annexed Crimea in 2014 following the EuroMaidan Revolution that ousted pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. In 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion, additional occupying territories in Donetsk and Luhansk areas, in addition to partially occupying territories in Kharkiv, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

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