Threats Increase for Other Ukrainian Cities If Troops Withdraw from Donbas – Experts

During the press conference, Reshmedilova emphasized that a retreat from fortified positions in Donbas would escalate risks not only for major urban centers but also for critical strategic junctions. "We are discussing the possibility of withdrawing from these fortifications directly. The threat will increase for many, not just for million-plus cities, but also for strategically important nodes. The atrocities we witnessed in Irpin will only be scaled up," she underscored.

Reshmedilova further noted that negotiations are currently ongoing, and Ukraine is hoping to secure guarantees of safety, particularly from the United States or in partial collaboration with its partners. However, she cautioned that Russia shows no signs of halting its aggression, and its ambitions may only grow. "We have had numerous treaties and bilateral agreements where the Russian Federation recognized Ukraine within its previous borders. This did not stop them from invading, annexing Crimea, and committing many other atrocities that followed," she stated.

Moreover, Reshmedilova pointed out that if Ukraine were to withdraw from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Russia would find itself in immediate proximity to NATO borders. "I am curious to see what will come of the meeting between Trump and the NATO Secretary General. There is likely to be a lot of resonance surrounding this, as the United States will not withdraw from NATO. However, we are more interested in what strategies NATO member countries have developed to deter further aggression. They must clearly understand that this issue is not only about our survival but also about collective security in the region and across the European continent," she emphasized.

Valentin Haidai, director of the Intermarium Institute and a PhD in history, also stressed that handing over Donbas to Russia would not automatically end the war. "On the contrary, this would only encourage the aggressor's appetites, meaning, in our case, the Russian Federation. It will continue to dictate its terms from a position of greater advantage," he remarked during the same press conference at Interfax-Ukraine.

Haidai also noted that the enemy is so detached from reality that it simply will not accept any concessions. In a situation where the front line remains tense, it is crucial for the international community to recognize the threats that could arise from changes in the strategic situation in Ukraine.

Thus, experts are calling for careful monitoring of the situation and active measures from international partners to prevent further escalation of the conflict and ensure security not only for Ukraine but for the entire European continent.