Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is refusing to accept Russia’s demand for a military withdrawal from Donbas out of concern that such a move could leave Odesa exposed. This was reported by a source cited by The Washington Post.

According to the publication, the source explained that Zelensky fears Ukraine would be left defenseless against further attacks. He was quoted as saying that if Russian President Vladimir Putin secures Donbas, «he will have a clear path to Odesa.»

The newspaper noted that Zelensky now finds himself in a difficult position. All parties, it said, are trying not to appear as obstacles to U. S. President Donald Trump’s push for a peace deal.

Earlier, the Financial Times reported that following his talks with Putin, Trump had shifted his rhetoric on Ukraine. The change drew sharp criticism from Kyiv, where officials voiced frustration over the U.S. president’s eagerness to strike what sources described as a «quick deal» on the crisis. The Alaska summit itself was characterized by insiders as «terrible.»