It is difficult for the enemy to hold border territories, and Russia understands that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will eventually push them out; however, Donbas remains Russia’s primary objective, which is why there is no discussion of exchanging small border areas for the significant portion of Donbas currently under Ukrainian control, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

"We cannot compare these lands. Primarily because when we speak of border territories—any of them—it is very difficult for the enemy to hold them. Russia clearly understands that they cannot maintain control there, and the moment will come when we push them out of these areas. Therefore, this is not a ‘gift’ [for negotiations]," Zelenskyy told journalists on Monday.

The President noted that Russia has not changed its goal of capturing the entire Donbas region.

"One could say their appetite has decreased slightly, but that is only for now. Therefore, we are not talking about exchanging small territories on the border for the large territory of Donbas or the Donetsk region that we control today," he added.