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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A recent poll indicates that Ukrainians are willing to consider peace agreements with security guarantees but strongly oppose plans involving complete withdrawal from Donetsk Oblast. The survey revealed that 75% of respondents rejected a peace plan that included withdrawal from Donbas and military restrictions, while 72% were open to a deal freezing territorial control at the current line of contact with security guarantees. Despite ongoing war and attacks, 63% of those surveyed were prepared to endure the conflict “as long as necessary.” Furthermore, the poll showed that Ukrainians trust President Zelensky and overwhelmingly do not desire elections before the end of hostilities.
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Zelenskyy confirms Russia still demands all of Donbas in their supposed “peace” plan, and that’s the core issue here. It’s a sticking point, a fundamental disagreement that highlights the vast chasm between the two sides. Zelenskyy is playing a difficult hand, making concessions where he can, like potentially dropping NATO membership, yet standing firm where he must, such as on the issue of Ukrainian land. This makes a clear statement: he’s contributing to the peace process while protecting Ukraine’s sovereignty.
The fact that Russia continues to demand the entirety of Donbas, even territory they haven’t fully conquered, reveals a stark reality: they want everything.… Continue reading
President Zelenskyy declared Ukraine’s refusal to cede Donbas to Russia or recognize it as Russian territory. The United States has proposed a free economic zone for the region as a possible compromise, but Zelenskyy stressed this would not imply Russian control. Negotiations involving the US, Ukraine, and European leaders have focused on a revised peace plan, with the territorial issue remaining a key point of contention. While a referendum on territorial matters is not currently planned, Ukraine is open to elections in Donbas once a ceasefire is established.
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Ukraine and its European allies have submitted revisions to the U.S.-proposed peace framework, adding pressure to ongoing negotiations. Territorial concessions, particularly regarding the Donbas region, remain a significant point of contention, with Zelensky emphasizing that any decisions on territory should be made by Ukrainians. While the U.S. has floated compromise ideas, Russia continues to demand full withdrawal from the Donbas. Despite previous hesitations, Trump has indicated willingness to participate in providing security guarantees to Ukraine, though NATO membership is still not on the table.
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President Zelenskyy responded to criticism regarding the unread “peace plan” by stating that disagreements persist among the involved parties. Specifically, sensitive issues like security guarantees for Ukraine and the control of eastern regions require further discussion. Negotiations have not yet produced a unified vision for Donbas, and Ukraine is advocating for a separate security-guarantee agreement with its Western allies. Zelenskyy’s comments followed remarks by former US President Donald Trump, who claimed that Russia supported the plan while Zelenskyy had not reviewed it.
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President Putin has reiterated that Russia will take the Donbas region, either by force or through the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops, rejecting any compromise on ending the war. This follows talks with a US delegation where a modified peace plan was discussed, though Putin stated Moscow disagreed with parts of the plan. The Kremlin is now awaiting a response from the US, while Ukrainian officials accuse Russia of stalling ceasefire agreements. European leaders have expressed concerns over the negotiations, with some fearing the US might compromise on Ukrainian territory without sufficient security guarantees.
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In a recent interview, President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia intends to fully control Ukraine’s Donbas region, either through the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces or by military force. This declaration comes after Putin sent troops into Ukraine in 2022, following years of conflict in the Donbas, encompassing the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. While Ukraine has rejected this ultimatum, Russia currently controls nearly 20% of Ukraine, including Crimea, and has repeatedly expressed its desire to control the entire Donbas region in discussions with the United States. Furthermore, Putin recently met with US envoys, indicating continued dialogue regarding potential peace agreements, despite ongoing territorial disputes.
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A draft proposal obtained by the Associated Press details a plan for ending the war in Ukraine, potentially ceding land to Russia and limiting the size of Kyiv’s military. The plan, developed through negotiations between Washington and Moscow, would allow Russia to retain control of the Donbas region and maintain its grip on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. The agreement also includes a “Peace Council” that Trump would oversee. However, the proposal faces resistance from both European leaders and Ukrainian officials, raising doubts about its viability and potential to reward Russian aggression.
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Ukrainian flag flies over Pokrovsk City Hall after assault teams fight through ambush into center, and it’s hard not to be impressed by the grit of the Ukrainian soldiers. The very idea of an assault team battling through an ambush and then raising their flag in the city hall… it speaks volumes about their resilience. The comments made me think of a real-time strategy game, where territories change hands, battles are fought, and the situation on the map is constantly in flux. It’s a reminder of how dynamic and unpredictable modern warfare can be.
Speaking of strategy, the question of whether this is a worthwhile fight in the long run is a valid one.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood