Ukrainian authorities are likely considering the possibility of relinquishing control over parts of the Donbas territories as part of negotiations with Russia. Such a step might become Kyiv's most difficult concession in attempts to achieve a ceasefire. This is reported by DW.
Simon Shuster, a journalist for the American magazine The Atlantic, reported the potential shift in Ukraine's stance, citing two advisors to President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to them, this concerns the eastern regions of the Donetsk region, which Kyiv could lose control over in the course of a potential peace settlement.
Concession on Donbas: what is being discussed in the President's Office
According to Shuster, discussions at the Office of the President of Ukraine involved the legal and practical conditions under which Ukraine could withdraw troops from certain areas of the Donetsk region without allowing them to fall under the control of the Russian army. The publication states that these consultations were conducted by the head of the President's Office Kyrylo Budanov along with assistants to the head of state.
One of the Ukrainian officials commented to the journalist, stating that the authorities are looking for ways to make a possible compromise acceptable to society. In particular, the idea of holding a referendum in the spring regarding a peace plan that may involve losing parts of the territories was considered.
Negotiations on Donbas: positions of Ukraine, Russia, and the USA
As the author of the material notes, Ukraine has also nearly abandoned its previous demands to hold President Vladimir Putin and the military leadership of the Russian Federation accountable for war crimes.
The issue of Donbas remains a key stumbling block in negotiations. During direct contacts between representatives of Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi on January 23-24, the parties managed to agree on certain points of the plan proposed by the USA but did not reach an agreement regarding the territories. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the issue of Donbas remains the only unresolved matter.
It was also reported that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Hungary and Slovakia.