By John Q. Hosedrinker 
According to Kommersant, Vladimir Putin stated Russia is demanding control over all of Donbas during ongoing talks with the United States, including areas not currently held. Putin discussed “peace plan” negotiations with the US and Ukraine, expressing that the US had walked back proposals after discussions with European counterparts. Putin also indicated that discussions regarding joint management of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant with the US are ongoing, along with the possibility of electricity supplies to Ukraine. Previously, Putin stated that hostilities would end if Ukraine withdrew from Donbas and recognized Crimea and the Donetsk and Luhansk regions as Russian territory.
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Putin continues to demand “the entire Donbas” in talks with the US, and it seems this is the central sticking point, the irreducible demand that colors everything else. It’s a simple, stark reality that underscores the fundamental problem: Russia doesn’t seem to be looking for peace, at least not in any way that involves respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty or territorial integrity. The persistent demand for the whole of Donbas, even during discussions with the United States, reveals the true nature of the situation and highlights the fundamental difference in goals.
This isn’t about a limited land grab; it’s about a much broader ambition. The desire for the “entire Donbas” is only part of a larger plan, a plan that seems to encompass a significant portion of Ukraine, including potentially strategic locations like Odesa, the heart of the Ukrainian identity, language and culture itself. To Putin and the Kremlin, it’s not just about territory; it’s about control, influence, and the subjugation of a nation. This is what makes any negotiation, any talk of a ceasefire, so challenging.
It’s difficult to see how any genuine peace can be achieved when one side’s baseline demand is the surrender of a key region, rich in natural resources, and the apparent prelude to future demands. The Donbas region isn’t just some empty stretch of land; it is exceptionally rich in natural resources, which include hard coal reserves, natural gas, shale gas, oil, and vital minerals. To give up Donbas means essentially handing over an economic and strategic hub to Russia, which would further empower the aggressor.
This stance makes the entire exercise of engaging in talks with Russia complex and frustrating. It isn’t just a request for land; it is a way to shift the blame for the war, to undermine support for Ukraine, and to cause infighting among Ukraine’s allies. The intention behind these demands doesn’t seem to be about a negotiated settlement; instead, it is a manipulative tactic designed to weaken Ukraine’s position and sow discord among its supporters, while buying time to re-arm and reorganize his forces.
The idea that the US should be involved in negotiations, given this context, seems problematic. The United States cannot negotiate away Ukrainian territory. The United States’ role is to support Ukraine, not to cede territory or agree to a deal that would undermine its sovereignty. The focus should be on upholding international law and ensuring that Russia pays the price for its aggression. This is not about the US deciding what happens; it is about respecting Ukraine’s right to determine its future.
The discussion also raises the question of whether a potential US administration might be inclined to accommodate Putin’s demands. The possibility of any US administration, or any other government, giving in to these demands is a worrying thought. It would reward aggression, embolden further expansionism, and set a dangerous precedent for the future. The international community, and the United States, need to stand firmly against such actions, recognizing that any compromise on Ukraine’s sovereignty will only lead to more conflict down the road.
The situation in Ukraine also brings up a wider issue: the very concept of security guarantees. If the US is not prepared to fully defend Ukraine’s territory, then those security guarantees are essentially worthless. The price of giving up any part of Ukraine is potentially paid with the blood of US soldiers.
The Russian approach seems like a strategy of maximalist demands, hoping to get something from the negotiations, and then claiming victory regardless of the outcome. It’s a game of deception, and Ukraine must realize this. The time to end this war is now, but at a price that respects Ukraine and international law.
The international community must call for a complete withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory. Anything less would be a betrayal of the principles of sovereignty, self-determination, and the rules-based international order. The only real solution is for Russia to withdraw its forces. And a focus on providing Ukraine with the means to defend itself and reclaim its territory.
The reality is simple: Putin continues to demand the “entire Donbas”. The United States, and the rest of the world, must not give in to such demands. The world needs to confront Russian aggression on all fronts. This is not just a conflict about territory; it is about the future of the world order.