Zelensky rules out recognizing the independence of Donbas requested by Russia

the president of UkraineVolodímir Zelensky affirmed this Sunday that he is “prepared” to negotiate with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putinto end the war, but ruled out recognizing the independence of the donbas and Russian sovereignty over crimea.

In an interview with CNN, the president bluntly stated that he will not assume “any commitment that affects the territorial integrity and sovereignty” of Ukraine.

The Kremlin has made it a condition to end its invasion that kyiv renounce joining NATO, recognize the independence of the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, in Donbas, and Russian control of Crimea, annexed by Moscow in 2014.

“We have to use every opportunity to negotiate and talk with Putin. If these attempts fail, that will mean the third world war,” Zelensky said about the negotiations that both countries have held in Belarus.

But the president affirmed that “as president and citizen” he cannot recognize the independence of Ukrainian territories.

He assured that the Ukrainian people have made it clear, since “they have not received the Russian soldiers with a bouquet of flowers, but with courage and weapons in their hands.”

Regarding the eventual entry into NATO, Zelensky assured that the Alliance itself has ruled out admitting Ukraine, for which he considered that kyiv should seek “other security alternatives” with its allies.

“Ukraine cannot say that it will not join NATO. It is NATO that has said that it will not admit Ukraine,” she said.

Although Zelensky appreciated the military and arms support he has received from NATO members to face the invasion, he asserted that the war would not have started if Ukraine had been admitted as a member of the Alliance.

The Ukrainian president, of Jewish origin, revealed that “one of the few times” that he has laughed since the beginning of the invasion was when he heard Putin say that the objective of the military operation is to “denazify” Ukraine.

The invasion, which began on February 24 after weeks of tension on the border due to the build-up of Russian troops, has caused the flight of three million refugees and the death of at least 900 civilians, according to the UN.