Zelensky criticizes US Donbas economic zone plan

KIEV -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that the US-proposed plan to establish a "free economic zone" in parts of the eastern Donbas region is unfair.

Zelensky said it remains unclear who would manage the proposed economic zone and added that Ukraine must seek alternative ways to end the conflict with Russia if the current peace talks fail.

The United States suggested a compromise in which the Ukrainian Armed Forces would withdraw from the region, and Russia would not enter parts of eastern Ukraine, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency quoted Zelensky as saying.

"We need to pull ourselves together, find another approach and do everything possible to end this war," Zelensky said.