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The conflict in Donbas remains a focal point of international attention in 2025. The US peace plan proposes that Russia will control parts of Donbas in exchange for rent payments to Ukraine. This plan has sparked discussions about Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to resist, with operations like the DIU's "Prymary" targeting occupiers' air defenses. Public sentiment leans against the "peace plan," as polls indicate 75% of Ukrainians reject any concessions leading to troop withdrawal from Donbas. President Zelenskyy highlights the strategic importance of Donbas, emphasizing the need to prevent full Russian occupation. Amidst this, social issues like water scarcity in occupied areas highlight the humanitarian challenges faced by residents. As military engagements continue, the geopolitical landscape remains complex and dynamic.

What is the US peace plan for Donbas and its implications?

The US peace plan involves Russia maintaining control over parts of Donbas while compensating Ukraine through rent payments. This proposal is contentious as it involves significant territorial concessions and raises questions about Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The plan has been met with resistance from Ukraine's leadership and the public, signaling potential geopolitical and diplomatic challenges in its implementation.

How has Ukraine reacted to the latest developments in Donbas?

Ukraine has responded assertively to developments in Donbas, conducting military operations against occupiers, exemplified by the DIU's "Prymary" unit targeting air defenses. President Zelenskyy has been vocal about resisting territorial concessions, emphasizing the strategic and symbolic importance of Donbas in the broader conflict with Russia. The Ukrainian public also largely opposes plans that involve ceding control of Donbas to Russia.

What are the humanitarian conditions in Donbas amid the conflict?

The humanitarian situation in Donbas is dire, with residents facing significant challenges, including limited access to basic necessities like water. Reports of elderly individuals resorting to extreme measures to obtain water underline the severity of the crisis. These conditions are exacerbated by ongoing military activities and the strained political situation, affecting the daily lives of those in the region.

What is the current military situation in Donbas in 2025?

The military situation in Donbas remains fluid and contested. Ukrainian forces have engaged in operations to dismantle enemy defenses, while strategic attempts to prevent further Russian encroachment are ongoing. Ukrainian leaders, notably President Zelenskyy, underscore the necessity of maintaining control over Donbas to deter Russian advances and preserve the country's territorial integrity amidst ongoing hostilities.

How does public opinion in Ukraine view the conflict in Donbas?

Public opinion in Ukraine regarding the conflict in Donbas is predominantly against any peace plan that involves ceding territory to Russia. Approximately 75% of Ukrainians are reported to oppose initiatives that would result in troop withdrawals from Donbas, reflecting a strong nationalist sentiment and the prioritization of national integrity over potentially contentious peace agreements that compromise Ukraine's territorial claims.

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News Donbas

Donetsk region I will never abandon Donbas and 200,000 Ukrainians who live there, - Zelenskyy Ukraine does not plan to abandon all its positions in Donbas, as key defensive points are concentrated there. The withdrawal of troops could create an opportunity for Russian forces to advance deeper into Ukrainian territory. 4 656 170 Previously in trend: Territorial concessions

Kremlin Russia will withdraw from peace talks if Ukraine does not give up Donbas, - Bloomberg In Russia, there is a growing belief that there is no point in continuing peace talks with Ukraine under the auspices of the United States if Kyiv is not prepared to cede territory in order to reach an agreement. 15 749 163 Previously in trend: Peace negotiations Territorial concessions

Zelenskyy commented on the possibility of territorial divisions Zelenskyy on territorial concessions: Russia does not win, and Ukraine does not lose in war President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine cannot regain its territories at this time, but Russia cannot win either. 2 692 39 Previously in trend: Peace negotiations Fighting in the east

Russia aims to seize Donetsk region by March, says Palisa Russia wants to occupy entire Donetsk region by end of March and open path to Zaporizhzhia – Palisa Russian troops intend to seize the entire Donetsk region by the end of March 2026 and then advance to occupy other regions. 4 198 28 Previously in trend: Putin’s aims in Ukraine Russian troops are preparing new offensive

Peskov Kremlin on talks with Ukraine: "Russia has not achieved all goals in war" The Kremlin stated that Russia "has not yet achieved all its goals" in the war against Ukraine, so the aggression will continue. At the same time, Moscow hopes for a diplomatic dialogue with Kyiv. 5 340 37 Previously in trend: Putin’s aims in Ukraine Ukraine and Russia talks

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy US and Russia have same demand for Ukraine to end war – to leave Donbas, - Zelenskyy The United States and Russia are pressuring Ukraine to withdraw its forces from Donbas as part of any agreement to end the war. 12 451 99 Previously in trend: Territorial concessions Russia’s demands to end war Peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy No positive progress on territorial issues, specifically Donbas, in negotiations yet – Zelenskyy President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Ukraine's negotiation group following two days of trilateral negotiations with representatives of the Russian Federation mediated by the United States. No progress has been made regarding the issue of territories. 1 856 41 Previously in trend: Peace negotiations negotiations with Russia

Putin believes in victory and wants to fight for another two years Putin still believes he is winning and is prepared to fight for Donbas for another two years, - NYT Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is prepared to fight for Donbas for two years in order to completely occupy it. 4 232 45

Zelenskyy Ukrainians will not agree to peace deal that cedes Donbas to Russia – Zelenskyy President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is convinced that the Ukrainian people will reject a peace agreement that would include a Russian demand for the unilateral withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Donbas and the transfer of the region to Russia. 4 501 66 Previously in trend: Peace negotiations Zelenskyy on territorial concessions Territorial concessions

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy Zelenskyy on "free economic zone" in Donbas: Ukraine must leave its territory — this is wrong President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy once again spoke out against the creation of a so-called "free economic zone" in Donbas, an idea promoted by the United States as part of efforts to end Russia’s war. 3 865 29 Previously in trend: Zelenskyy on territorial concessions

Zelenskyy Neither Ukraine nor Russia are enthusiastic about idea of creating free economic zone in Donbas, - Zelenskyy The United States is proposing to create a so-called free economic zone as a buffer in the Donbas to end the Russian-Ukrainian war, but Ukraine is cautious about the idea. 2 736 20 Previously in trend: Territorial concessions buffer zone

Will Ukraine give up all of Donbas? Donbas handover won’t stop war and will weaken Ukraine before new Russian offensive - New York Times Any concessions in the Donbas within the framework of a peace agreement will not stop the war, but will only allow Russia to build up its forces for a broader offensive deeper into Ukraine. 5 826 64 Previously in trend: Territorial concessions

Guterres on the principle of self-determination for Crimea and Donbas Principle of self-determination cannot be applied to Crimea and Donbas, Guterres rejected Russia’s attempts to justify occupation UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the principle of self-determination of nations cannot be applied to Crimea and Donbas, emphasising the primacy of the principle of Ukraine's territorial integrity. 7 468 29 Previously in trend: Occupation of Crimea Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

Rubio, Trump Rubio on Donbas issue in peace talks: "This is still bridge we haven’t crossed" U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Russia’s territorial claims to Donetsk Oblast are a key issue that remains unresolved in talks on ending the war in Ukraine. 4 059 40 Previously in trend: Peace negotiations Territorial concessions

Security guarantees: US wants Ukrainian Armed Forces to withdraw from entire Donbas region US offers Ukraine security guarantees in exchange for withdrawal of Armed Forces of Ukraine from Donbas, - FT Security guarantees from the United States will depend on Ukraine's agreement to withdraw troops from the unoccupied territories of Donbas. 13 616 177 Previously in trend: Peace negotiations Security guarantees for Ukraine

Zelenskyy on the Donbas issue Donbas issue will be key at meeting in Abu Dhabi, - Zelenskyy During meetings in the UAE today and tomorrow between Ukraine, the US and Russia, the issue of Donbas will remain key to the discussions. 2 083 18 Previously in trend: Negotiations with the USA negotiations with Russia

Peskov about Donbas Peskov voiced Russia’s "important condition": Armed Forces of Ukraine must leave Donbas Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces must leave the Donbas region. 7 911 63 Previously in trend: Negotiations with the USA negotiations with Russia

The Donbas issue in the peace agreement We can’t just withdraw from our territories, referendum will not be positive, - Zelenskyy Ukraine cannot agree to cede its own territories in the process of peace negotiations with Russia, as such a move would contradict national legislation, public sentiment, and the actual situation in the temporarily occupied territories. 5 968 55 Previously in trend: Peace negotiations Transfer of territories Territorial concessions

Putin’s demands: he continues to demand the surrender of Donbas Putin continues to demand entire territory of Donbas, which Russia cannot capture, - Russian media Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has stated that Russia continues to demand the transfer of the entire territory of Donbas, which it is unable to capture, in negotiations with the United States. 3 627 33 Previously in trend: Peace negotiations Territorial concessions

Zelenskyy Zelenskyy for first time considered possibility of withdrawing troops from Donbas if Russia does same – WP Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has presented a new version of a peace plan that signals the country’s readiness to withdraw troops from the Donbas to create a "demilitarized zone," provided that Russia agrees to do the same. 7 543 161 Previously in trend: Territorial concessions Peace plan

Fighters from the 414th and 4th brigades hit two enemy MLRS in Donbas Madyar’s Birds and Svoboda Battalion destroy two Grad MLRS in Donbas. VIDEO On 23 December, fighters from the 414th Brigade "Madyar's Birds" together with the "Svoboda" Battalion of the 4th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine struck Russian equipment in Donbas using UAV drop munitions. 2 370 4 Previously in trend: Destruction of Russian equipment

Zelenskyy: Differences remain with the US over Donbas and the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant Donbas, ZNPP and reparations: Zelenskyy lists issues with no agreement with US The United States and Ukraine have not yet reached an agreement on Donbas and the status of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. 5 942 38 Previously in trend: Peace negotiations

What will happen to Donbas? Zelenskyy said that the US is looking for a compromise US seeks compromise on Donbas, - Zelenskyy President Zelenskyy stated that the United States is currently seeking a compromise solution for Ukraine and Russia regarding Donbas. 2 025 33 Previously in trend: Territorial concessions

Russia refuses to make concessions on territory Moscow not going to make concessions on "five territories," - Russian Foreign Ministry Russia is ready for a peace agreement, but will not compromise on the "five territories" it has occupied in Ukraine. 19 756 135 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas Territorial concessions

Negotiations with the US: The States want troops withdrawn from Donbas US delegation in Berlin insists on complete withdrawal of Ukrainian Armed Forces from Donbas, - AFP During negotiations in Berlin with the Ukrainian delegation, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner pressured Kyiv to transfer the Donbas territories still under the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to Russia. 14 977 160 Previously in trend: Peace negotiations

Zelenskyy and Trump meeting Ukraine’s peace plan rejects withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donbas and refusal to join NATO, - NYT Ukraine's peaceful plan, sent to Washington this week, contradicts US President Donald Trump's proposal that Kyiv should agree to territorial concessions in order to end the Russian war. The 20-point counterproposal includes three documents. 15 447 184 Previously in trend: US peace plan Territorial concessions Peace plan

Zelenskyy, Trump US ready to provide Ukraine with security guarantees based on NATO Article 5 in case of withdrawal from Donbas, - Axios Negotiations on security guarantees that Ukraine will receive from the US and Europe in the event of a peace agreement have made "significant progress." Donald Trump's administration is offering Kyiv a strong, legally binding guarantee based on Article 5 of NATO, which requires congressional approval. 7 481 165 Previously in trend: US peace plan Territorial concessions Security guarantees for Ukraine

ushakov, putin Russia may withdraw its troops from Donbas, but order will be maintained by Rosgvardiya, - Ushakov Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov suggested that Russian troops could be withdrawn from the occupied territories of Donbas, but that the territory would be guarded by the Rosgvardiya and Russian police. 7 753 47 Previously in trend: US peace plan

Demilitarized zone in Donbas: media reports that Ukraine has agreed Ukraine is ready to agree to "demilitarized zone" in Donbas, - Le Monde Ukraine is ready to agree to the creation of a demilitarized zone in the Donbas. 8 670 43 Previously in trend: US peace plan

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Zelenskyy on "free economic zone" in Donbas: Ukraine will not accept compromise from US President Volodymyr Zelensky believes that the US's "compromise vision" regarding control over Donbas in the event of a peace deal must be fair to Ukraine.  13 842 61 Previously in trend: US peace plan Peace negotiations

USA, Ukraine US proposes demilitarised zone without requiring Russia to leave Donetsk and Luhansk regions, - FT The latest US proposals for a "peace plan" do not require Russia to withdraw its troops from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which are planned to be included in the demilitarised zone. 11 313 51 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

Putin claims Donbas is Russian territory and invokes Lenin We will bring "special military operation" to "logical conclusion". Donbas has always been Russian territory – Putin Kremlin ruler Putin has claimed that Ukraine’s Donbas has supposedly always been Russian territory and that Moscow seeks to bring the war in Ukraine to a "logical conclusion". 9 704 64 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas Putin’s statements about Ukraine

Zelenskyy Idea of swapping temporarily occupied parts of Donetsk region and ZNPP, proposed by partners, is not being considered, – Zelenskyy Ukraine has received a proposal from its partners to trade part of the temporarily occupied Donetsk region and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant for territories that Russia has not yet seized. Kyiv does not support this idea. 9 115 46 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas Zelenskyy on the situation at the front

Zelenskyy Trump US continues to pressure Ukraine to withdraw its armed forces from Donbas without fight in order to achieve "peace" with Russia, - Politico In negotiations on a potential "peace agreement" in the Russian-Ukrainian war, the United States insists that Kyiv must agree to withdraw from the Donetsk region without a fight. 4 496 101 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas US peace plan Peace negotiations

Peace talks: Zelenskyy announces differences Ukraine, US and Russia do not see eye to eye on Donbas – Zelenskyy President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the United States, Ukraine, and Russia still have differences over the territories discussed in the US "peace plan." 5 622 42 Previously in trend: Peace negotiations

Zelenskyy with European leaders Europe warns Zelenskyy against deal without serious security guarantees from US and withdrawal of troops from Donbas - Bloomberg Europe believes that a scenario in which Ukraine agrees to a deal without reliable security guarantees from the US and the withdrawal of its troops from Donbas could threaten the security of the entire region. Leaders are urging President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to refrain from such actions. 10 602 117 Previously in trend: Territorial concessions Peace plan Security guarantees for Ukraine

Enemy air defence destroyed Enemy S-300V SAM launcher and two Niobiy-SV radars destroyed – Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. VIDEO On November 29, 2025, drones operated by the Active Operations Department of the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine once again targeted Russian air-defense radars and missile launchers in occupied Donbas. 4 091 4 Previously in trend: Destruction of Russian equipment

Leasing the occupied Donbas: details of Trump’s peace plan US peace plan: Russia will control part of Donbas in exchange for rent payments - Telegraph The US peace plan stipulates that Ukraine will be forced to relinquish control over the eastern part of Donbas, but will receive rent payments from Russia. 18 297 87 Previously in trend: Trump peace plan Territorial concessions

The special unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, Primary, destroyed three air defence units in Donbas. DIU of MoD "Prymary" destroyed three units of occupiers’ air defence in Donbas. VIDEO The special unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, "Prymary," conducted a special operation to destroy enemy air defence systems in Donbas. 2 567 3 Previously in trend: Destruction of Russian equipment

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Zelenskyy on territorial concessions: If Ukraine "eats what is put on plate," rest will be decided without us If Ukraine agrees to a poor territorial solution, the remaining issues regarding the end of the war will be resolved without Kyiv. 7 434 60 Previously in trend: Peace negotiations Territorial concessions

Meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump Trump denied that he pressured Zelenskyy to agree to cede entire Donbas region to Russia, - Reuters President of the United States Donald Trump said that he did not force Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to agree to the transfer of the entire Donbas to the Russian Federation. 10 382 90 Previously in trend: Zelenskyy-Trump meeting

Zelenskyy spoke about the failure of the Russian offensive In summer, Russians told United States and others that they would occupy Donbas by October, but now our troops are moving forward, - Zelenskyy President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that this is not the first time that the Russian military has failed to carry out Putin's order to occupy Donbas. 2 044 11 Previously in trend: Fighting in the east Hostilities in south

Donbas 75% of Ukrainians categorically reject Russia’s "peace plan" to withdraw Armed Forces from Donbas - KIIS poll. INFOGRAPHICS 75% of Ukrainians categorically reject the latest version of Russia's "peace plan", which provides for the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbas. 2 587 57 Previously in trend: Peace plan Poll on war in Ukraine

In Makiivka, people collect water from puddles Donbas without water: elderly woman scoops it from puddle. VIDEO A critical situation with water supply has developed in the Central City District of Makiivka, in Russian-occupied Donetsk region. 6 189 53

Zelenskyy reports positive results in Donbas We have very, very positive results in Donbas, details will be later, - Zelenskyy President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted good results in long-range strikes against Russia. 7 458 76 Previously in trend: Fighting in the east

Fighters of the Donbas battalion destroy enemies Donbas Battalion fighters destroy Russian positions near Chasiv Yar: "Surrender if you want to live". VIDEO Fighters of the Donbas Battalion from the 18th Sloviansk Brigade released footage showing Russian forces being driven out of positions near Chasiv Yar, where battles have been ongoing for more than two years. 4 146 2 Previously in trend: Destruction of the occupiers’ firing positions

Lavrov on Crimea and Donbas Russia has never sought to simply seize Crimea or Donbas, but only to protect "Russians" - Lavrov Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia had never sought to seize any Ukrainian territory, but only wanted to protect "Russians." 5 728 98 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

Russians dress up in women’s clothing Occupiers dressed up in women’s clothes found in looted house: "We’re serious soldiers. We’re going straight to London, gentlemen". VIDEO A video showing the occupiers looting a private house in a captured village in Donbas has been published online. 10 103 20 Previously in trend: Looting in Russian army