Ukraine Neither De Jure Nor De Facto Recognizes Donbass As Russian Territory

• 16.12.2025, 8:25

Zelensky responded to the US proposal to create a "free economic zone".

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has said that Ukraine does not want to give up Donbass and especially - will not recognize it as Russian.

The RBC-Ukraine, Zelensky said this while answering media questions.

The head of state informed that the US offers to create a "free economic zone".

"We do not want to give away our Donbass. The Americans want to find a compromise, they offer a free economic zone. I will emphasize again - a free economic zone does not mean under the leadership of the Russian Federation. These are important features of any Donbass format for me," the Ukrainian president said.

Zelensky stressed that Ukraine will not recognize the temporarily occupied part of Donbass as Russian. At the same time, he added that the issue of territories is being discussed.

"Neither de jure nor de facto will we recognize Donbass as Russian, the part that is temporarily occupied. But nevertheless, we will talk through the issue of territory. You know that it is one of the key issues, we do not have a consensus on this issue yet," the head of state summarized.