Defense & Geopolitics — 2026-03-25
Zelensky: US Links Security Guarantees to Ukraine Withdrawing From Donbas
President Zelensky revealed the US is conditioning security guarantees on Ukraine full withdrawal from Donbas, including approximately 6,000 sq km Kyiv still controls. Zelensky said the Americans are "prepared to finalize these guarantees at a high level once Ukraine is ready to withdraw." He warned the concession would compromise both Ukrainian and European security by ceding strong defensive positions to Russia. The pressure reflects Washington urgency to close the Ukraine file while focused on the Iran war. Zelensky reiterated that only a three-way summit with Trump and Putin can resolve outstanding territorial questions.
Analysis
This is the most explicit public acknowledgment of US territorial demands on Ukraine. Conditioning security guarantees on Donbas withdrawal reveals Washington is prioritizing a rapid settlement to free bandwidth for Iran. The 6,000 sq km Kyiv still holds in Donbas includes defensive positions that Ukraine has fortified over two years; surrendering them weakens the entire eastern front. Zelensky public disclosure of these terms, rather than quiet diplomacy, suggests he is appealing to European allies and US Congress to counter White House pressure.
This is the most explicit public acknowledgment of US territorial demands on Ukraine. Conditioning security guarantees on Donbas withdrawal reveals Washington is prioritizing a rapid settlement to free bandwidth for Iran. The 6,000 sq km Kyiv still holds in Donbas includes defensive positions that Ukraine has fortified over two years; surrendering them weakens the entire eastern front. Zelensky public disclosure of these terms, rather than quiet diplomacy, suggests he is appealing to European allies and US Congress to counter White House pressure.