Russia Demands Full Control of Donbas as Non-Negotiable Peace Term
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Russia has declared a major new condition for ending the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin now says any peace agreement must grant it the entire Donbas region in eastern Ukraine.
This demand includes significant areas that are still under Ukrainian military control. For Ukraine, this condition is unacceptable.
The Donbas, comprised of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, has been a focal point of fighting since 2014. Russia's new position hardens its previous claims and appears to close the door on immediate negotiations.
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly stated they will not cede sovereign territory. This development suggests a prolonged deadlock, with both sides far from any diplomatic resolution.