"We will not leave Donbass. We cannot do that. For Russia, Donbass is a springboard for a new attack in the future. In just a few years, Russia will have a path to Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk, even Kharkov. Now they want to take about 9,000 km2, which is almost 30% of Donetsk province. This is a springboard for a new offensive," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on 12/8.

Russia continues its advance in eastern Ukraine ahead of the Russia-US summit in Alaska. War monitors reported on 12/8 that some Russian units broke through Ukrainian lines in Donbass, advancing about 10 km near Dobropillia on the Pokrovsk front in Donetsk in the past three days.

Zelensky believes this attack is intended to "create an information effect before 15/8, especially for American public opinion, to show that Russia is on the offensive and Ukraine is losing." He warned that Moscow is planning new attacks on three fronts: Zaporizhzhia, Pokrovsk, and Novopavlivka.

"We believe they will deploy an additional 15,000 troops on the Zaporizhzhia front, about 7,000 in Pokrovsk, and possibly 5,000 in Novopavlivka. They are looking for every way to prepare a new attack right after 15/8," he emphasized.

The situation in the Donbass region, including Lugansk and Donetsk provinces. Graphics: Guardian

The situation in the Donbass region, including Lugansk and Donetsk provinces. Graphics: Guardian

Last week, Russia suggested it was willing to consider a ceasefire if Ukraine withdrew from the remaining areas of Donbass. Trump then proposed the possibility of a "territorial exchange" between Russia and Ukraine.

However, President Zelensky commented that Russia was actually only committed to not advancing beyond the current front line and had no intention of withdrawing its troops.

"I haven't seen any proposal guaranteeing that a new war won't break out tomorrow, that Russian President Vladimir Putin won't try to take Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkov once he controls all of Donbass," Zelensky added.

The Ukrainian leader said he did not believe US President Donald Trump would support Moscow's demands and hoped Washington would play a fair intermediary role when Trump met Putin in Alaska on 15/8.

Zelensky also confirmed that he would not be present in Alaska and expected a trilateral US-Ukraine-Russia summit to be held soon.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Austria on 16/6. Photo: AP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Austria on 16/6. Photo: AP

He said Kyiv's position in negotiations with Moscow remained unchanged. The parties must first reach a ceasefire agreement before discussing other issues such as security and territorial guarantees. He said any discussion of territory was meaningless without Ukraine's participation.

"I will not give up territory because I have no right to do so. Territorial exchange is an extremely complex issue and cannot be separated from security guarantees for Ukraine," he said.

Thanh Danh (According to Ukrainska Pravda, Guardian)