US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s claim regarding the United States demanding the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbas in exchange for security guarantees is not true. According to Rubio, Washington has not set such conditions and does not insist on transferring Donbas to Russia.
This is reported by Kyiv24
US Positions on Security Guarantees and War
Marco Rubio emphasized that the US has clearly communicated its vision to the Ukrainian side: security guarantees will only be provided after the war concludes through a peace agreement. Rubio stressed that these conditions were articulated openly and unequivocally, and the decision regarding compromises remains solely with Ukraine.
“This is a lie, and I saw how he said it, and it’s unfortunate that he said it because he knows it’s not true, and he wasn’t told that. What he was told, obviously, is that security guarantees will not take effect until the war is over, because otherwise, you will get dragged into the war yourself,” Rubio said.
The head of the US State Department added that Zelensky’s position on the conditions for providing guarantees does not reflect the actual policy of Washington. The American side merely informed Kyiv of the demands of the Russian Federation but does not support them and does not influence Ukraine’s decisions.
Kyiv’s Response and the Position of the Russian Federation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently stated in an interview that the US links the provision of security guarantees to the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbas. He emphasized that such a step threatens the security of both Ukraine and Europe, as it could lead to the loss of fortified defensive positions and the transfer of strategic territories to Russia. Zelensky also stressed that the eastern part of Ukraine is an integral component of the national security system.
Comments from Russian officials expressed satisfaction with Zelensky’s position, which they interpret as a willingness to make concessions. In particular, the special representative of the Russian president, Kirill Dmitriev, stated that “the US will provide security guarantees to Ukraine only if Ukraine withdraws from Donbas.”
At the same time, Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly emphasized that Ukraine will not transfer its territories under Russian control, and decisions regarding possible concessions must be made by the people—through elections or a referendum. He also reported on the readiness for bilateral security guarantees with the US at 100% and expects their signing.
In January and February, several trilateral meetings took place between Ukraine, the US, and the Russian Federation regarding ways to end the war. Specific results of these negotiations have not been announced; however, in February, the parties agreed on the first prisoner exchange in five months. A meeting scheduled for early March in Abu Dhabi was postponed due to tensions in the Middle East.
Analysts emphasize that the Russian Federation is not demonstrating a willingness to compromise and insists on maximalist demands, particularly regarding the transfer of Donbas. The Kremlin also rejects Western security guarantees for Ukraine, while Kyiv demands strong guarantees from the US and European partners to protect against future aggression.