Moscow Rejects Zelensky’s Allegation of Ultimatum Over Donbass

2026-04-05 08:06:19

Abstract generation in progress

(MENAFN) The Kremlin has rejected claims by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky that Moscow issued a two-month deadline for Kiev to pull back from the Donbass region, insisting that Ukrainian forces should have already withdrawn.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday that the notion of a two-month timeline “is not about two months,” emphasizing that Zelensky “must make the decision today for the Ukrainian armed forces to leave the borders of the Donetsk People’s Republic.”

“This has been said for a long time, and he should have done it yesterday. It could have saved the lives of thousands of people and stopped the hot phase of this war,” Peskov added.

The comments followed Zelensky’s interview the previous day, in which he claimed that Moscow had informed Washington it expected Ukraine to withdraw from Donbass within two months. Zelensky warned that if Kiev failed to comply, Russia would seize the territory anyway and the terms of any settlement “will be different.”

The status of Donbass, which voted to join Russia in 2022, continues to be a major sticking point in peace talks, with Moscow insisting that Ukraine’s full withdrawal is a prerequisite for a lasting agreement.

MENAFN02042026000045017640ID1110934044

This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.

1 Likes