Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in a podcast for The Diary Of A CEO that the loss of Slovyansk and Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region would lead to the further advance of Russian troops deeper into the country, specifically into the Dnipropetrovsk region. According to him, these cities and surrounding areas represent a vital industrial and machine-building center upon which Ukraine's economy depends, and a heavily fortified defense line has been built there.
Threat to Industrial Regions and the Economic Factor
The head of the Ukrainian state emphasized that Russian forces strive to capture eastern Ukraine, and Slovyansk and Kramatorsk provide a direct path to Pavlohrad and Dnipro. The loss of these settlements would create immense risks for the entire country as the adversary could continue its offensive and capture numerous other cities. The president noted that under current conditions no one can provide one hundred percent security guarantees, and demands for a further withdrawal of Ukrainian troops are unfair.
Situation on the Southern Front and Shelling of Kherson
Addressing the situation in the southern directions, Zelenskyy pointed out the specifics of the standoff in the Kherson area, where the Dnipro River separates the positions of the parties. Ukrainian forces are on one bank while Russian troops are on the other, allowing the enemy to regularly shell urban infrastructure. Furthermore, according to his assessment, Russian forces currently control about 18-19 percent of Ukraine's territory.
Position on Compromises and Freezing the Conflict
Speaking about possible settlement paths, the Ukrainian leader recalled US President Donald Trump's calls to seek compromise solutions to end the hostilities. In Zelenskyy's view, Ukraine's biggest compromise is already its agreement to a ceasefire and freezing the conflict along the current frontline. Earlier, on October 21, he stated that such a step could become a real path to ending the war, after which Kyiv would seek reliable security guarantees from Washington and European partners.
Significance and Further Prospects for Settlement
The statements of the Ukrainian leadership reflect Kyiv's firm stance regarding territorial concessions and the strategic defense of eastern borders. The issue of maintaining control over Donbas industrial agglomerations and obtaining international security guarantees remains a key factor in any future discussions on a diplomatic settlement. Meanwhile, the military situation on the ground remains tense: according to Ukrainian military data on October 22, preparations by the adversary for active mechanized actions are recorded in the southern direction.
