Speaking at the Bucha Summit, the president said the ultimatum implies broader Russian war aims, extending beyond Donbas.
“If Ukraine does not leave within two months, then Russia will capture the Donbas and then there will be other conditions,” Zelenskyy said, according to Interfax
“The logical question, if their goal is only Donbas, and this is my question to our American colleagues, then, if they can capture Donbas, why do they say they will go further, that there will be other conditions? So I think the issue is not only Donbas.”
Zelenskyy said Russia clearly wants to occupy Donetsk Oblast completely, but he does not believe Moscow can achieve them in two months.
“I think today Russia is putting pressure on the United States,” he referred to Moscow effectively stalling the trilateral Ukraine–U.S.–Russia talks.
“I think America can put pressure on Russia. Today Russia is pressuring America because the moment of the midterm elections is approaching,” Zelenskyy added, suggesting that the White House may be eager to tout the end of the Russo–Ukrainian war as a foreign policy achievement.
Zelenskyy also expressed disbelief that the war would end if Ukraine withdrew from Donbas.
“So far what Russia wants and what partners are repeating is that they see the end of the war — or the end of the hot phase — when Ukraine withdraws from the East,” he said.
“The question is that now there are new deadlines they
[Russians] are giving to the U.S. side. I’m surprised anyone can believe that
[promise to end the war].”