Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dominated out the potential for withdrawing Ukrainian troops from the non-occupied a part of Donetsk Oblast as a precondition for a full ceasefire.

Supply: Zelenskyy at a gathering with journalists on 12 August, as reported by Suspilne

Quote: "We won’t go away Donbas. We can not do that. For the Russians, Donbas is a springboard for a future new offensive. In just a few years, Putin could have an open path to Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts. And never solely that, but in addition to Kharkiv. Proper now, they need to give them about 9,000 sq. kilometres, roughly 30% of all of Donetsk Oblast [the size of the non-occupied territory – ed.], and that could be a springboard for brand new aggression."

Particulars: Zelenskyy confirmed that he had referenced the Structure in his dialog with Trump.

Quote: "I’m not going to give up my nation as a result of I’ve no proper to take action. And it’s not about hiding behind the Structure. Is the state personal property? Is 30% of Donetsk Oblast my personal property? Territorial exchanges are a really complicated matter that can’t be separated from safety ensures for Ukraine."

Extra particulars: Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine’s place stays unchanged: first, a ceasefire, after which negotiations on different points. In the meantime, territorial issues can’t be mentioned with out Ukraine’s participation.

Background:

• Zelenskyy has beforehand stated that Ukraine won’t make territorial concessions to Russia in talks on a peace deal, stressing that "the reply to the Ukrainian territorial query is already within the Structure of Ukraine, and nobody will step again from it or give you the chance to take action."
• US President Donald Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with the argument that any territorial exchanges below a possible peace settlement would require constitutional amendments.

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