Ukraine: Counteroffensive retakes vast territories.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that his country’s forces have reclaimed vast areas in southern Ukraine over the past few days, in statements made ahead of the fourth anniversary of the start of the Russian invasion – the most significant conflict to grip Europe since World War II. Zelenskyy indicated the liberation of approximately 300 square kilometers as part of the ongoing counteroffensive.

Simultaneously, efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war remain stalled, with the issue of the industrial Donbas region in eastern Ukraine serving as a major obstacle to progress. Kyiv refuses to concede the region, which is almost entirely under Russian control.

Zelenskyy explained that both the United States and Russia have proposed ending the war immediately on the condition of Ukraine’s withdrawal from Donbas, noting that Washington appears more insistent on this matter due to its own circumstances. He believes Washington views this withdrawal as a “solution” to the problem, while Russia seeks through it to quickly control Donbas with minimal losses.

The Ukrainian President emphasized the importance of securing security guarantees from Washington before considering any compromises with Russia, stressing that any Ukrainian withdrawal must be accompanied by a corresponding Russian withdrawal.

He pointed out that Donbas represents strategic military fortifications preventing Russian advances, and abandoning it would have significant political and symbolic repercussions, as well as a devastating human cost, having seen thousands of soldiers killed defending it.

Ukraine is calling for the deployment of European forces near the front lines after a ceasefire as part of security guarantees aimed at preventing any future Russian invasion.

However, Moscow has shown no willingness to offer concessions, instead threatening to achieve its objectives by force if negotiations fail.