Putin Demands Donetsk for Ukraine Peace Deal with Trump
Putin’s Price for Peace: Full control of Donetsk
By Ahmed Hassan, Chief editor
In a move that underscores the deep divisions and entrenched positions in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly demanded full control of the Donetsk region as a prerequisite for ending the war. This demand, revealed in a recent Washington Post report citing senior officials, was conveyed to U.S. President Donald Trump during a phone call earlier this week.
Donetsk, a strategically vital region in eastern Ukraine, has been a focal point of the conflict since 2014, with Russia and its proxy forces controlling parts of the territory. However, Ukrainian troops remain deeply entrenched, viewing the area as a critical buffer protecting the route to kyiv. Putin’s insistence on complete control signals that the Kremlin is not backing down from its long-held territorial ambitions, despite President Trump’s expressed optimism about brokering a peace agreement.
For over a decade, Putin has sought to dominate the region, repeatedly repelled by Ukrainian resistance.
President Trump, who recently hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, has adopted a neutral stance publicly. Following the meeting, Trump took to social media, urging both sides to cease hostilities. “It is time to stop the killing, and make a DEAL! Enough blood has been shed, with property lines being defined by War and Guts. They should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory,let History decide!,” he wrote.
Trump is expected to meet with putin in Hungary in the coming weeks to continue discussions on a potential settlement.
Interestingly,the Washington Post report also indicates that Putin may be willing to cede parts of two other partially occupied regions,Zaporizhzhia and Kherson,in exchange for complete control of Donetsk.White House officials have reportedly characterized this proposal as a “narrowing” of Russia’s demands, but the implications for Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape remain critically important.
The future of Ukraine, and the potential for a lasting peace, hinges on the willingness of all parties to engage in meaningful dialog and compromise. Whether Putin’s demand for Donetsk represents a genuine negotiating position or a hardened stance remains to be seen.