Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy firmly rejects Russian President Vladimir Putin's demands to cede the Donbas region, citing sovereignty concerns and the area's critical economic and strategic importance.

A decade ago, Donetsk was the metropolis of Ukraine's east. Now, Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly has it squarely in his sights.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed on Tuesday not to give eastern Ukrainian land to Russia, saying that abandoning the Donbas region would open the door for Russian President Vladimir Putin to “start a third war” in Ukraine.