Zelenskyy: Surprised anyone believes war would end if Ukraine withdraws from Donbas

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is "surprised" that anyone could believe the war, or its hot phase, would end if Ukraine withdrew from Donbas.

"So far, what Russia wants and what some partners are spreading is this: they see the end of the war, or the hot phase of the war, when Ukraine leaves the East. The issue is also that they [the Russians] are now giving the American side new deadlines. I am surprised that anyone can believe this. Simply surprised. So many years, honestly, and the same story continues," Zelenskyy told journalists during Bucha summit on Tuesday.

The president said the Russians are claiming they will seize Donbas in two months, so Ukraine has two months to leave the region, "and then the war will end."

"And if Ukraine does not leave within two months, then Russia will seize Donbas and after that there will be different conditions," Zelenskyy added.

"The logical question, if their goal is only Donbas – and this is my question to our American colleagues – then if they can seize Donbas, why do they say they will go further and then there will be other conditions? So in my view, the issue is not Donbas after all," the head of state said.

According to him, the Russians' goals are clear and they will not be able to seize anything in two months, which is why they are applying pressure.

"I believe that today Russia is putting pressure on America. I believe America can put pressure on Russia. Today Russia is putting pressure on America because the moment of the midterm elections is approaching. That moment is coming, and it is clear that the United States needs to take various steps, both domestically and in foreign policy. We very much hope that on the negotiation track we can still return the issue to logic, rather than the emotionality of Russia, which is now reacting to everything," Zelenskyy said.

"We are in the Middle East – they are calling everywhere, running around in panic, doing everything they can. It is absolutely clear what is happening. We are fighting for Ukraine and for the subjectivity of our state, which already exists everywhere today, and in the Middle East there is clear confirmation of that," the president said.