OREANDA-NEWS. It is impossible to end the war in Donbas and return Kiev's control over the region without direct negotiations with Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this while speaking at a meeting of the Verkhovna Rada, the head of state's office reports.


"We will not be able to stop the war without direct negotiations with Russia. And today all external partners have recognized this. And some internal ones don't recognize it,"- he said.

According to Zelensky, he is not afraid of direct dialogue with the Russian side.

"We must speak knowing that we have a strong, powerful army. And do not be afraid to tell each other the truth now if we want to return Donbass,"- Zelensky said, urging the country and politicians to fight for the return of the region with all the means available to Ukraine.

At a press conference on 26 November, Zelensky claimed that Russia and Ukraine have been at war for eight years, answering the question whether such a conflict was possible. He also said that the Ukrainian authorities have full control of their borders and are ready for any escalation.

In November, The Washington Post and Politico, citing sources and satellite images, reported that Russia was building up troops near the Ukrainian border, particularly on the border with Belarus. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has admitted that Moscow may stage an offensive by late January or early February.