Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Zelenskyy: Donbas Withdrawal Won't End Ukraine-Russia War

4/1/2026

28 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a Bucha summit that Donbas withdrawal would not end the war.
Zelenskyy said Russia gave Ukraine two months to leave Donbas and could change peace terms if it does not.
He argued Russia's aims extend beyond Donbas and criticized ceding territory.
Zelenskyy said he will hold a video call with United States officials on negotiations, insisting any territorial decisions require Ukrainian consent.

History

Historical Context

The Budapest Memorandum, signed on December 5, 1994, by Ukraine, the U.S., the U.K., and Russia, provided security assurances in exchange for Ukraine's nuclear disarmament, which included approximately 1,700 warheads. However, Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and subsequent invasion in 2022 violated these assurances, prompting Ukraine to question their validity and raising concerns about security commitments in Eastern Europe.

1 of 2

Story summary

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a Bucha summit that Donbas withdrawal would not end the war.
Zelenskyy said Russia gave Ukraine two months to leave Donbas and could change peace terms if it does not.
He argued Russia's aims extend beyond Donbas and criticized ceding territory.
Zelenskyy said he will hold a video call with United States officials on negotiations, insisting any territorial decisions require Ukrainian consent.

1 / 2