Zelensky visits Donbas warfront in first quarantine tour

Ukrainian President Zelensky visited on Apr. 11 the
forces withdrawal area of Petrivske on the Donbas war frontline in order to
demonstrate his support for Ukrainian soldiers in his first official visit
since the severe quarantine was imposed. Petrivske, located in the Donetsk
region, was one of three areas on the warfront where President Zelensky led the
withdrawal of Ukrainian forces in an attempt to find peace with the Russian
leadership. “I am glad that the forces withdrawal helped to reduce shootings. We
see the result. The military sees the result. We are working in order to reach
agreement on new areas (for withdrawal) and for peace to rule over Donbas
lands,” he said.

Zelensky also promised to give the war zone’s hospital
all the necessary help, particularly in dealing with coronavirus infections. A
mobile military hospital visited by Zelensky was equipped with PCR-testing
laboratories, mobile surgeries rooms, mobile x-rays and mobile dental rooms.
The hospital has operated on more than 40,000 personnel since February 2015.

At least one Ukrainian soldier was killed and five
injured in warfare in Donbas the weekend of Apr. 10-12, according to the press
service of the Joint Forces Operation. At least seven fighters of the
Russian-backed forces were injured on Apr. 11, the press service said.

Zenon Zawada: President
Zelensky understands that he got elected on promising to find peace in Donbas,
which is why he wanted to show the soldiers, and his electorate, that he hasn’t
forgotten about them. But this was more of a demonstration of support more than
anything real. The talks to resolve the war in Donbas have reached a dead end,
with the Europeans advising against the creation of advisory councils.

Zelensky might sincerely want to conduct more
forces withdrawals. But with the talks halted and killings ongoing, he only
stands to lose more public support with such a move, even risking looking
foolish. So we view any more forces withdrawal not only unlikely, but also
counterproductive.