A Crucial Question in Ongoing Negotiations
As new diplomatic efforts attempt to end the war in Ukraine, one central question looms large: would Ukraine give up the Donbas? The mineral-rich territory, consisting of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, remains at the center of every potential negotiation between Kyiv and Moscow.
Russia’s Demand
Russian President Vladimir Putin has insisted that Ukraine surrender the entire Donbas, including territory that Ukraine still controls. The demand covers key industrial cities such as Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, where more than 200,000 Ukrainians currently live.
For Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, conceding the Donbas could be politically devastating, as polls show that a majority of Ukrainians strongly oppose giving up land in exchange for peace.
Strategic Importance of the Donbas
The Donbas is more than symbolic — it is also Ukraine’s first line of defense.
- The region has extensive trenches and defensive fortifications built since the war began.
- Its highlands and lowlands create difficult terrain for advancing forces.
- Relinquishing it would hand Russia a military advantage, allowing it to fortify the territory and potentially use it as a launching point for further offensives.
As journalist Michael Schwirtz explained:
“If Ukraine gave this region over to Russia, they would get all the advantages that Ukraine is now getting from this region — and be able to turn that against Ukraine. That is what Ukrainians are most fearful of.”
Political Stakes
For Zelensky, the Donbas question is a test of political survival.
- Conceding territory could fracture domestic support and weaken his presidency.
- Refusing may prolong the war, but it preserves national integrity and aligns with public opinion.
- European and U.S. leaders continue to stress that any peace must involve Ukraine’s consent, not just pressure from Moscow.
What Comes Next
Negotiations remain uncertain, and no agreement has been reached. While Putin continues to demand total control of the Donbas, Ukraine insists that territorial integrity is non-negotiable.
As long as both sides remain unwilling to compromise, the Donbas will continue to be the defining battlefield — both militarily and diplomatically — in Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty.
By ✍️ Yorlinda Ramìrez - MicuPost Team
🔍 Sources:
Published by MicuPost – Global conflict explained with clarity.
