(SeaPRwire) –   Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in a Thursday-published Reuters interview that proposed U.S. security assurances for Ukraine are conditional on Kyiv surrendering the eastern Donbas region to Russia as part of a possible peace agreement.

“The Americans are ready to formalize these guarantees at a high level as soon as Ukraine agrees to pull out of Donbas,” Zelenskyy remarked, characterizing a plan he cautioned could jeopardize both Ukraine’s security and that of Europe at large.

However, a U.S. official, speaking anonymously, informed Digital that the allegation is untrue.

Zelenskyy’s remarks highlight increasing pressure from President Donald Trump to achieve a rapid conclusion to the war, which entered its fourth year after Russia’s 2022 invasion.

Zelenskyy implied the U.S. administration’s stance is partly shaped by other international emergencies, such as the continuing conflict with Iran.

“The Middle East certainly influences President Trump,” Zelenskyy noted. “President Trump, in my view, regrettably continues to opt for a tactic of increasing pressure on Ukraine.”

Negotiations involving the United States, Russia, and Ukraine occurred in Abu Dhabi and Geneva in 2026, yet fundamental questions are still open, such as how Ukraine’s future security will be assured and who will pay for its enduring defense.

Zelenskyy cautioned that relinquishing Donbas would grant Russia well-fortified Ukrainian defensive positions, compromising Kyiv’s stance and possibly facilitating further Russian aggression.

“I strongly wish for the American side to recognize that our country’s eastern region is integral to our security assurances,” he stated.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has consistently maintained that complete dominion over Donbas is a primary objective of Moscow’s war. Although Russian troops have advanced, Reuters-cited analysts report the progress has been sluggish, and seizing the rest of the area may require considerable time and resources.

Zelenskyy further warned that Moscow is gambling on Washington’s interest waning if talks deadlock.

“Russia is relying on the United States lacking the resolve or endurance to see this through,” he said.

Notwithstanding disagreements over diplomacy, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the Trump administration for maintaining shipments of Patriot missile defense systems, which Ukraine uses to defend against Russian ballistic missiles.

“Shipments to us were not halted. I am very thankful to President Trump and his team,” he said, while also noting that the provisions are still inadequate.

Alongside diplomatic efforts, Zelenskyy outlined a wider plan to bolster Ukraine’s function as a security partner, especially in the Middle East, where nations are looking for answers to major drone and missile dangers.

“The United States has contacted us about their bases in Middle Eastern nations,” Zelenskyy posted on X Thursday, mentioning that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait have also been in touch.

He said Ukrainian personnel are already deployed in the region exchanging practical knowledge, specifically in defending against swarms of drone assaults.

“Regardless of how many Patriot, THAAD, or other air defense systems are deployed in the Middle East, that is insufficient by itself,” he wrote. “Modern interceptors exist that are built to withstand intense drone attacks.”

Zelenskyy also mentioned Ukraine is considering defense trade agreements, proposing to sell excess equipment and know-how while attempting to acquire air defense missiles it does not presently possess.

“Funding is the most limited resource now,” he wrote, observing that Ukraine’s defense sector is running at about 50% capacity and requires more investment to increase drone manufacturing.

In other posts related to a speech at a Joint Expeditionary Force summit, Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine’s combat experience could assume a more extensive part in European and worldwide security.

“We possess this expertise. … Let’s integrate all of this even further,” he wrote, urging enhanced collaboration with European allies and cautioning that Europe must develop its own ability to manufacture air defense systems instead of depending on foreign sources.

Reuters contributed to this story.