Zelensky at the 4th Anniversary: "We Are Not Losing," Rejects U.S.-Russian Pressure to Cede Donbas

Marking four years since the full-scale invasion, President Volodymyr Zelensky told AFP on Sunday that Ukraine remains resilient, claiming the liberation of 300 sq km on the southern front. Zelensky revealed significant diplomatic pressure from both Washington and Moscow to relinquish the Donbas region in exchange for a swift peace deal—a proposal he firmly rejected. He insisted that any future ceasefire must be backed by the deployment of international or European troops along the contact line to ensure Ukraine’s security.

Addressing domestic concerns, Zelensky dismissed calls for presidential elections during wartime, citing mass displacement and constant shelling as insurmountable obstacles. He emphasized that national unity and robust security guarantees are more critical than a premature political process, even as Russia’s strikes on energy infrastructure leave millions in the cold during a harsh winter.