Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of misleading the international community about its control over Ukrainian territories during recent peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi. Speaking in Copenhagen on November 10, Zelensky asserted that Russian representatives exaggerated their hold over the Donbas region, claiming to control about half of the territory that is still under Ukrainian control. He emphasized that Russia’s assertions were contradicted by video and photographic evidence presented by Ukraine.
Zelensky expressed concerns that Russian President Vladimir Putin was being fed inaccurate information regarding the battlefield situation, leading to unrealistic claims about Russia’s capacity to capture the remaining eastern territories. Despite these disputes over territorial control, Zelensky conveyed his willingness to engage in direct talks with Putin, with the United States and European countries as mediators. However, he firmly rejected any demands from Moscow for Ukraine to withdraw from its own land, insisting that any territorial decisions must reflect the real situation on the ground.
In addition to addressing the territorial claims issue, Zelensky urged Washington to heighten economic and political pressure on Moscow, rather than expanding business ties or considering easing sanctions. He reaffirmed Ukraine’s dedication to diplomatic efforts and mentioned the potential for prisoner exchanges as a significant step toward progress.
The Ukrainian leader also voiced his concerns regarding discussions between the United States and Russia about a new European security arrangement. Zelensky warned that such proposals could potentially destabilize the region and stressed that resolving the war, ensuring security guarantees for Ukraine, and addressing broader European security issues need to occur in the correct sequence.
Furthermore, Zelensky emphasized the importance of accountability in any future peace agreement, particularly for those responsible for civilian casualties and other wartime atrocities. He reiterated that Russia must cease its military aggression and pursue a genuine diplomatic resolution to the conflict.