springboard

Controlling it would give Russia a springboard to deeper attacks targeting big cities and threatening to bring Ukraine to its knees.

However, the Ukrainian president has previously ruled out ceding control of the Donbas, saying it could be used as a springboard for future Russian attacks.

Ukraine's president has previously ruled out ceding control of the Donbas - composed of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions - saying it could be used as a springboard for future Russian attacks.

Just days ago, Ukraine's president ruled out ceding control of the Donbas region - made up the regions of Luhansk and Donetsk - saying it could be used as a springboard for future Russian attacks.

Zelensky has said he is convinced that Russia would use any region it was allowed to keep as a springboard for future invasions.