Zelensky dismissed the demand to withdraw the Armed Forces from the Donetsk region: what is known about the negotiations.

According to ТСН: During intensive negotiations in Berlin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky refused to consider the option of a unilateral withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donetsk region. Kyiv is ready to make various compromises, even uncomfortable ones, but there are "red lines" that cannot be crossed.

According to the German publication BILD, Ukraine is willing to discuss painful concessions, including abandoning NATO membership and holding urgent elections. However, President Zelensky clearly stated that there are certain boundaries that cannot be negotiated. The main discussion revolves around territorial issues.

"One of the points in the plan states that Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk regions are 'de facto recognized as Russian,' and the front lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions are frozen,"

According to BILD, Kyiv is open to a temporary "freezing" of the front and is prepared for a de facto loss of control over occupied territories. However, it categorically rejects demands to withdraw the Armed Forces of Ukraine from part of the Donetsk region that remains under Ukrainian control.

It is also mentioned that the United States proposed a compromise under which Ukraine would have to retreat from approximately 5,600 square kilometers in the Donetsk region. This area would become a "demilitarized economic zone" without the presence of Russian occupiers. Moscow supported this proposal, but only if only units of the National Guard of Russia, rather than regular troops, could appear there.

"We will not accept this. This would amount to the capitulation of the Ukrainian army,"

says one official in a conversation with BILD.

Kyiv has also outlined its proposals. President Zelensky emphasized that Russian troops must also retreat from the occupied territories.

"If Ukrainian troops retreat, say, five to ten kilometers, why shouldn't Russian troops also retreat the same distance deeper into the occupied territories?"

Recall that Russian "Fuhrer" assistant Yuri Ushakov cynically stated that "the entire Donbas is Russian." He also noted that "sooner or later" this territory will be fully under the control of Russia. According to him, Ukraine's statements about a referendum on territorial issues are "inappropriate."

ISW analysts point out that Vladimir Putin is closing the door to peace. They emphasize that Russia rejects ideas to create a demilitarized zone in Donbas. In Moscow, it is claimed that such a zone is possible, but Russia must deploy its troops and law enforcement there. However, American experts note that such deployment will only increase the militarization of this region.

In this complex situation, it is important to maintain a constructive dialogue and seek opportunities for peace, but the existing positions of the parties indicate serious discrepancies. Kyiv is not ready to make compromises that may threaten its sovereignty, while Moscow continues to put forward its demands. The situation remains extremely tense, jeopardizing the further development of the negotiation process.