Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv refuses to cede Donbas region amid Trump’s truce proposal

Ukraine has ruled out withdrawing troops from the Donbas region as part of any peace deal with Russia, following US President Donald Trump’s suggestion that both sides would need to cede territory to end the war.“We will not withdraw from the Donbas… if we withdraw today — our fortifications, our terrain, the heights we control — we will clearly open a bridgehead for the Russians to prepare an offensive,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters. “Ukraine will not give land to the occupier,” he said, stressing the need for “a real, lasting peace, not a pause in the killings.”

On August 8, Trump said a settlement between Moscow and Kyiv would involve “some land swapping,” describing it as “good for Ukraine” but acknowledging there would be “some bad stuff for both.”

“There’ll be some land swapping going on. I know that through Russia and through conversations with everybody. To the good, for the good of Ukraine. Good stuff, not bad stuff. Also, some bad stuff for both,” Trump had said.Russia’s demands

Moscow has put forth a series of demands, including that Kyiv withdraw forces from regions it claims, commit to neutrality, reject military aid from the US and the EU, and refrain from joining NATO. Russia currently controls about 19% of Ukraine, including Crimea and large areas in the east and southeast. It insists that Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson are now part of Russia.Sources told Reuters earlier this year that President Vladimir Putin’s conditions include a legally binding NATO non-expansion pledge, limits on Ukraine’s military, protections for Russian speakers, and recognition of Russia’s territorial gains.

Kyiv’s position

Ukraine said it will never recognise Russian sovereignty over its territory, though it acknowledges that regaining occupied land will require diplomacy, not military force. Any territorial concessions would be unconstitutional, as altering Ukraine’s 1991 borders is prohibited. Zelenskyy also lacked the authority to approve such changes, which would trigger public outrage after more than three years of war.

Ahead of Trump-Putin talks

Speaking before a planned Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, Zelenskyy insisted Ukraine must be part of any talks involving its land. He said Russia’s proposal involved halting offensives elsewhere in exchange for Kyiv pulling back from Donbas, which includes Donetsk and Luhansk.

Ukraine still controls about 30% of Donetsk — roughly 9,000 square kilometres — along with heavily fortified defensive lines and strategic high ground. A withdrawal, Zelenskyy warned, would create a launchpad for further Russian offensives.