Zelensky Rules Out Donbas Withdrawal, Warns DPRK Troops Learning Drone Warfare in Russia

February 23 ------ President Volodymyr Zelensky has ruled out any withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the eastern Donbas region as part of a potential peace agreement with Russia, insisting Kyiv will not abandon what he described as its “real defending line.”

In an interview with Kyodo News in Kyiv, Zelensky rejected Moscow’s demand that Ukrainian forces pull back from the region, where some of the heaviest fighting of the full-scale war has taken place. “We can’t withdraw from our territory. It’s our real defending line,” he said, as negotiations with Russia continue.

Zelensky stressed that Ukraine is prepared for genuine compromises to achieve peace – but not at the expense of its independence or sovereignty. “We are ready to talk about compromises with the United States. But not to receive ultimatums from the Russians again and again. They are the aggressor. Everyone has recognized this. This has not changed,” he said.

Zelensky added that many countries have acted or sought to act as mediators since the beginning of the war, particularly in the Middle East and Asia. “That is why our compromise is that we are talking about compromises with the aggressor. ‘We stand where we stand’ is a big compromise,” he said. “They have seized almost 20% of our territory. And we are ready to talk about peace now on the basis of the principle of ‘We stand where we stand.’ This is a big compromise,” Zelensky added.

He revealed that Russia presents its own position as a compromise by claiming it will refrain from occupying additional regions. “But this is terrorism. Even these words themselves are terrorism. ‘I am ready not to kill you – give us everything.’ What does this mean? This is not a compromise. This is an ultimatum.” “That is why I said: ‘We are ready for compromises that respect Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, our army, our people, and our children. But we are not ready for ultimatums,” Zelensky told Kyodo News.

Russia has sought full control of the Donbas, which includes the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and has repeatedly conditioned talks on Ukrainian troop withdrawals. Kyiv has maintained that it will not cede territory under pressure.

Zelensky also warned of the broader security implications of Russia’s military cooperation with North Korea. He said Pyongyang has gained valuable battlefield experience from its involvement in the war, calling the development “extremely dangerous.” He revealed that around 10,000 North Korean soldiers are currently stationed in Russia. “They are learning to counter missiles and different types of drones, including fiber-optic drones – from [first-person view] FPV to long-range drones. They are training now in Russia because we are responding to Russian attacks. So, they have this opportunity,” Zelensky said. He added that, at a minimum, North Korean troops could “bring this knowledge home.”

North Korean forces have engaged in combat with Ukrainian troops during Kyiv’s cross-border incursion into Russia’s western Kursk region, where Ukrainian units temporarily seized parts of the area. Turning to defense cooperation, Zelensky emphasized that strengthening Ukraine’s air defense remains a top priority as Russia continues missile and drone attacks. Air defense systems are “not for offensive” purposes, he said, but essential to protect civilians and critical infrastructure.

Source: kyivpost.com