MOSCOW - The Kremlin on Wednesday pressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to make an immediate decision ordering Ukrainian forces out of the Donbas region, saying such a move could halt what it called the "hot phase" of fighting. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Kiev's leadership should have chosen withdrawal "yesterday" and that the choice was a difficult but necessary one.
Peskov's remarks followed comments from Zelenskiy a day earlier that Russia had informed the United States it would toughen its terms for a settlement if Ukrainian troops did not withdraw from Donbas within two months. When reporters asked Peskov directly whether there was a two-month deadline, he did not answer affirmatively, saying instead that the presence or absence of that deadline was "not the point."
In a direct appeal aimed at Ukraine's leadership, Peskov said: "Zelenskiy must make a decision today for Ukrainian troops to leave the territory of Donbas... This has been stated repeatedly." He added, "And, in theory, Zelenskiy should have made this decision yesterday. As we have said, he should have taken responsibility and made this difficult decision. This could save the lives of many people and, most importantly, allow an end to the hot phase of this war."
Separately, Zelenskiy said on Tuesday that he was surprised anyone could believe Russia could hope to conquer the remainder of Donbas within two months. He made clear that Ukraine favours a diplomatic path but set a firm condition for any cessation of hostilities: that a ceasefire would have to be implemented at the current front lines.
The exchange highlights a standoff over conditions for ending active combat: the Kremlin urging an immediate withdrawal from Donbas as a means to end the "hot phase," and Ukraine rejecting the idea of territorial concessions while signalling a willingness to pursue diplomacy only if a ceasefire reflects existing positions on the battlefield.
The Kremlin spokesman's remarks did not verify a specific deadline; instead, Peskov framed the issue as one of responsibility and timing, arguing a late decision by Kyiv to withdraw could have prevented further loss of life and brought the most intense phase of fighting to a close. Zelenskiy's response reiterated scepticism about Russia's asserted timeframe for capturing remaining territory in Donbas and reinforced Kyiv's insistence that any truce be tied to the present front lines.
Key takeaways
- The Kremlin says Ukraine should order forces out of Donbas immediately, arguing such a move could end the "hot phase" of fighting.
- Peskov did not confirm whether a two-month withdrawal deadline exists, stating that the question was "not the point."
- Zelenskiy expressed surprise that anyone would believe Russia could seize the rest of Donbas in two months and said Ukraine seeks diplomacy but would only agree to a ceasefire at current front lines.
Further note - The statements from both sides reflect opposing views on whether and how an end to active combat might be negotiated, with the Kremlin focusing on withdrawal as an immediate means to stop the most intense fighting and Kyiv insisting on the integrity of current front lines as a condition for any ceasefire.