Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy revealed that the United States has tied security guarantees for a potential peace deal to Ukraine's complete withdrawal from the Donbas region.

In an interview with Reuters published on March 25, Zelenskiy stated, "The Americans are prepared to finalise these guarantees at a high level once Ukraine is ready to withdraw from Donbas." He warned that abandoning the defensive lines in the eastern region would compromise Ukraine's security and, by extension, Europe's, as it would cede fortified positions known as the Fortress Belt to Russia.

The disclosure comes amid ongoing trilateral negotiations involving the United States, Ukraine, and Russia, with three rounds of high-level talks held this year in Abu Dhabi and Geneva. A fourth round scheduled for this month was postponed due to escalating U.S. involvement in a conflict with Iran. Zelenskiy attributed increased pressure from President Donald Trump to end the four-year war quickly to Washington's shifting priorities in the Middle East. "The Middle East definitely has an impact on President Trump, and I think on his next steps," he said.

Russia controls parts of Donbas, including Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, but Ukraine holds approximately 6,000 square kilometers of the area, including heavily fortified cities. Russian President Vladimir Putin has insisted on full control of Donbas as a core war aim. Zelenskiy questioned whether Moscow would commit the resources needed to seize the remaining territory militarily, noting Russia's slow advances over the past two years.

Ukraine has rejected ceding territory, favoring a ceasefire along current front lines. In January, Zelenskiy said a U.S.-Ukraine security guarantees document was "100% ready" for signing, but recent talks in Miami between U.S. and Ukrainian officials indicated further work remained. Key unresolved issues include funding for Ukraine's weapons purchases and allies' responses to future Russian aggression.

Zelenskiy called for a summit with Trump and Putin to resolve territorial and security questions. He noted Ukraine's progress in producing long-range missiles and drones, enabling strikes deep into Russia in response to bombardments. Following heavy Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities this week, he thanked the Trump administration for continuing Patriot missile deliveries, though he said supplies fell short of needs.

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Zelenskiy's remarks. The revelations echo earlier reports from January, when sources indicated similar U.S. conditions for guarantees.

Russia has bet on U.S. fatigue if talks stall, Zelenskiy added, amid Europe's deadliest conflict since World War Two, which has killed hundreds of thousands.