Giving Up Sloviansk and Kramatorsk Would Open Russia’s Path to Dnipro and Pavlohrad, — Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that surrendering Sloviansk and Kramatorsk to Russia, as demanded by Moscow in exchange for a ceasefire, would grant Russian forces access to other cities in the future. During an appearance on the Diary of a CEO podcast, Zelenskyy used a map of Ukraine to demonstrate his point. He stated that the portion of Donetsk region held by Ukrainian forces is well fortified.

If Ukraine were to give up Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, he said, it would open the path to Pavlohrad and Dnipro. "If we give up these cities, the risk is very high. If they want to go further, they can capture a large number of our cities," Zelenskyy emphasized. Andrii Biletskyi, commander of the Center Group of Forces, explained that Russian troops temporarily withdrew from a direct assault on Sloviansk and Kramatorsk after Operation Vivaldi, but plan to resume it later.

Biletskyi noted that Russia has two options: a costly and risky frontal assault or a focus on Dobropillia. Russian military successes in this area have not led to a complete abandonment of their pincer strategy. Zelenskyy has maintained that Ukraine will not cede control of Donbas, with Russia's primary objective being the capture of Kostiantynivka, Sloviansk, and Kramatorsk before the end of the year.

Without strong defensive positions at the front, Zelenskyy stated, Russia would only continue issuing ultimatums. Recently, Zelenskyy reported that Ukrainian forces are still in possession of Dobropillia and are defending areas near Kramatorsk.