According to the French publication Le Monde, Ukraine is ready to consider the possibility of withdrawing its troops from Donbas. In an interview with Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the president, the newspaper stated that Kyiv is taking steps towards negotiations with Russia and the USA, coordinating the creation of a demilitarized zone in the region. It is reported that this decision has already received support from European countries.
At the same time, Podolyak noted that Ukraine insists on the withdrawal of not only its own but also Russian armed forces.
“The demilitarized zone should be established on both sides of the conflict line. It is important to determine which specific weapons need to be withdrawn — all or just heavy ones. To prevent possible violations, the presence of international observers and foreign contingents is necessary to guarantee compliance with agreements and principles. This is a logical step towards ending the conflict, especially considering that part of the territory will remain under Russia's control, and the dividing line will be established in any case,” he stated.
Podolyak also expressed a desire to see the USA among the observing forces that will monitor compliance with the agreements, conduct monitoring, reconnaissance, and control troop movements.
These initiatives were sent to the USA on Wednesday.
Recently, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also mentioned that Ukraine is ready for certain territorial concessions, which is confirmed by information from Le Monde.
However, after the publication, Dmytro Litvin, communications advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky, denied the information about Ukraine's agreement to create a buffer zone in Donbas. He emphasized that Podolyak was discussing only theoretical models, and no decisions on this matter have been made yet. His words were quoted in the publication "Strana".
“Such issues can only be resolved at the highest political level or with the participation of the people of Ukraine. The president clearly confirmed this yesterday,” Litvin added.
