Zelensky warns: retreat in Donetsk region would open path for enemy to Dnipro

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasised the critical importance of holding the cities in the Donetsk region currently under Ukrainian control during an episode of The Diary Of A CEO podcast. According to him, concessions in this direction could have fatal consequences for the state's security.

Strategic threat to Dnipropetrovsk region

The head of state explained that the Russian armed forces are deliberately striving to capture the eastern part of Ukraine, specifically the strategically important cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. He noted that after losing these cities, the enemy would have a direct path to the Dnipropetrovsk region, including Pavlohrad and Dnipro.

Zelensky stressed that these territories are the country's key industrial and engineering centre, on the state of which the economy depends. He also reminded that a powerful and well-fortified defensive line has been built in this region.

«Якщо ми віддамо їм ці наші міста, ризик величезний. Якщо він захоче йти далі, то зможе захопити величезну кількість наших міст. Ризик реальний. Ніхто нічого не гарантує» (If we hand over these cities of ours to them, the risk is enormous. If he wants to go further, he will be able to capture a huge number of our cities. The risk is real. No one guarantees anything), said the president.

Dilemma over security guarantees

Commenting on the discussion surrounding possible peace agreements, Zelensky noted that the topic of security guarantees is now being heard from all sides, and Ukraine is open to such talks. At the same time, according to him, the Russians want Ukraine to retreat even further.

«Якщо ми відійдемо, де гарантії безпеки? Не кажучи вже про те, що це несправедливо» (If we retreat, where are the security guarantees? Not to mention that it is unfair), he asked.

Separately, the head of state mentioned the situation in Kherson, where the Dnipro river divides the city into two parts: Ukrainians live on one bank, while the occupiers are on the other. It is precisely because of this that the Russians shell the city.

Real goals of Russia and the US position

Zelensky assessed that currently approximately 18-19% of Ukraine's territory is under Russian control. He also drew attention to the fact that in Russia, different maps are shown to their people.

«Він (Путін, - ред.) хоче захопити місто Запоріжжя, але не може цього зробити. Це одна з його цілей. Запоріжжя та Миколаїв також є цілями, хоча він про це прямо не говорить» (He (Putin, - ed.) wants to capture the city of Zaporizhzhia, but cannot do so. This is one of his goals. Zaporizhzhia and Mykolaiv are also targets, although he does not say this directly), Zelensky explained.

Commenting on US President Donald Trump's calls to seek a compromise, Volodymyr Zelensky noted that Ukraine is already making the biggest compromise.

«Найбільший компроміс, на який ми вже йдемо, - це припинення вогню. Давайте просто зупинимо цю війну» (The biggest compromise we are already making is a ceasefire. Let's just stop this war), the president emphasised.

«Я багато разів намагався сказати президенту США: просто зрозумійте нас. Це величезний компроміс - просто утримувати лінії там, де ми зараз» (I have tried many times to tell the US president: just understand us. It is a huge compromise - just to hold the lines where we are now), Zelensky added.