Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Armed Forces of Ukraine will not withdraw from the Donbas region or abandon their military personnel.
Zelensky made the statement during an interview on the United News telethon, according to a transcript published on his Telegram channel. He noted that Kyiv will not leave held territories on its own and will not abandon its troops.
Military planning and air defense
The announcement followed a statement Zelensky made a day earlier regarding the situation of Ukrainian troops in Donbas, after meeting with the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykhailo Drapatyi. He said discussions focused specifically on protecting Kostiantynivka, Sloviansk, and Donbas overall, and that there is an understanding of how to reinforce the direction.
Zelensky also said Kyiv is working at all levels to obtain missiles for air defense systems. He added that strengthening Ukraine is the best investment in peace negotiations.
