Zelenskyy: Ukraine will not recognize Donbas as Russian neither de facto nor de jure
“You know that this is one of the key issues. So far, we have no consensus,” said the President of Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Jonathan Raa NurPhoto via Getty Images
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine will not recognize Donbas as Russian, neither de facto nor de jure. He said this during a conversation with Ukrainian media, writes "Ukrainska Pravda".
“As for the Russian position, it has not changed yet. You know that they want our Donbas. Our position is practical, realistic, just – we stand by it, and we do not want to give away our Donbas. Americans want to find a compromise; they propose a free economic zone. I emphasize once again: a free economic zone does not mean that it will be under the control of the Russian Federation.”
Zelenskyy emphasized that the issue of territories is being discussed, but Ukraine will not recognize the temporarily occupied part of Donbas as Russian.
“Neither de jure nor de facto will we recognize Donbas as Russian — that part of it which is temporarily occupied. But at the same time, we will discuss the issue of territories. You know that this is one of the key issues. So far, we have no consensus.”
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