Ukrainian President Zelensky may agree to cede control of Donbas to Russia as part of a peace agreement, according to “The Atlantic”.
Zelenski’s Potential Concession
According to “The Atlantic,” Volodymyr Zelenski may agree to “the most difficult concession of all” – giving Russia control over Donbas as part of a peace agreement. The US magazine cited two Ukrainian presidential advisors regarding this potential concession.
Withdrawal Conditions for Eastern Ukraine
Ukrainian officials, including Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov, have been discussing legal and practical conditions for withdrawing Ukrainian troops from certain areas of Donetsk oblast. Ukrainian authorities aim to prevent Russia from forcefully occupying these territories.
Seeking Acceptance for Territorial Changes
A Ukrainian official stated that participants in discussions about potential territorial concessions in eastern Ukraine are showing creativity in finding ways for people to accept such changes. “The Atlantic” reported that the Kyiv government is considering holding a referendum on this matter in the spring.
Political Timing Considerations
Zelenski admitted that Ukrainians “want to end the war quickly” but emphasized this doesn’t mean accepting any peace agreement regardless of terms. He noted that ending the war before the November U.S. supplementary elections would be beneficial for Trump and Republicans, calling it “simply a political victory” for them.
Russia’s Position on Territorial Issues
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told TASS that Moscow has not yet received a draft peace plan. He emphasized that the Kremlin is not ready to compromise on territorial issues and security guarantees. Previously, Lavrow had specified which Ukrainian territories should be recognized as Russian, including Crimea, Donbas, and “Novorossiya” – territories of Ukrainian Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, and Odesa oblasts.