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Kremlin Negotiator Calls Donbas Pull‑Out Path to Peace as Abu Dhabi Talks Resume

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Donbas Remains Sole Deal‑Breaker in Abu Dhabi Negotiations The United States, Russia and Ukraine met in Abu Dhabi for the first trilateral talks since the invasion, and all three sides identified the Donbas dispute as the only remaining obstacle to any broader settlement [2][1]. Leaders framed the region as the test of any deal, with Kyiv insisting the territory is non‑negotiable while Moscow signaled it will not accept a concession without a withdrawal [2][1]. The sessions were described as constructive and are slated to reconvene in the coming days [1].

Kremlin Demands Ukrainian Withdrawal as Peace Condition Kremlin negotiator Kirill Dmitriev posted on X that Ukraine’s pull‑out from the Donbas industrial heartland is the “path to peace” and a prerequisite for ending the war [1]. His statement directly responds to a Financial Times report linking U.S. security guarantees for Kyiv to a Russian‑controlled Donbas concession [1]. Russia therefore presents the territorial withdrawal as the central condition for any lasting agreement [1].

Ukraine Refuses Territorial Concessions, Holds Key Cities Ukrainian forces continue to control roughly 20 % of Donetsk oblast, including the fortified cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk [1]. President Zelensky reiterated that the Donbas land is non‑negotiable and that any territorial change would require a wartime referendum, which Kyiv cannot hold [2][1]. Analysts warn Moscow could need years to capture these positions, underscoring Kyiv’s resolve to retain them [1].

Security Guarantees Document Near Completion, Awaiting Russian Compromise Zelensky announced that a security‑guarantee document for Ukraine is “100 percent” ready, but emphasized that Russia must make concessions for peace to move forward [1]. The United States has signaled that any security guarantees will depend on a Donbas settlement, reinforcing the link between guarantees and territorial issues [1]. The Abu Dhabi talks, described as constructive, are expected to resume with this document as a bargaining chip [1].

Proposed Economic Zone Offers Limited Concession Framework Public references to the ceasefire framework include creating a free economic zone in parts of Donbas still under Ukrainian control, paired with security guarantees and a Ukrainian withdrawal from those areas [2]. This proposal aims to provide economic incentives while preserving Ukrainian sovereignty over the remaining territory [2]. The zone concept remains a point of discussion as negotiators seek a mutually acceptable compromise [2].

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Timeline

2014 – Russia annexes Crimea and backs separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk, launching the Donbas conflict that later becomes the war’s industrial heartland and a central bargaining chip in peace talks [4].

Feb 2022 – Russia launches a full‑scale invasion of Ukraine, expanding the fighting from the Donbas to a nationwide war and setting the stage for the diplomatic deadlock over territory and security guarantees [4].

Dec 2 2025 – Russian forces control about 85 % of the Donbas, including the newly captured town of Pokrovsk, while rail service into Donetsk halts and roughly 200 civilians arrive daily at a reception centre in Lozova; desertions in the Ukrainian army approach 300,000, and a leaked U.S. draft peace plan proposes handing remaining Ukrainian‑held Donbas areas to Russia [3].

Dec 9 2025 – Ukraine drafts a revised peace plan that explicitly rejects any land concessions, intending to present it to the White House by the following Tuesday; President Zelensky stresses that Ukrainian law and the constitution give him no right to cede territory [2].

Dec 11 2025 – The United States proposes creating a free‑economic zone in parts of eastern Donbas in exchange for a Ukrainian troop withdrawal, while Zelensky says Kyiv has submitted an updated set of peace documents that still need finalisation before the Christmas deadline [6].

Dec 12 2025 – Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov announces that Russian police and National Guard units will remain in Donbas even after a peace settlement, linking any ceasefire to a full Ukrainian pull‑back; meanwhile Ukrainian forces recapture settlements around Kupiansk, highlighting battlefield gains that Kyiv hopes will strengthen its diplomatic position [10].

Dec 13 2025 – Former President Donald Trump pushes a 28‑point peace plan that asks Ukraine to cede lost territory in return for security guarantees, while Zelensky repeatedly rejects any territorial concessions, underscoring the plan’s main obstacle [12].

Dec 15 2025 – EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas rejects Russia’s demand for security guarantees, stating Russia faces no threat, as President Putin insists Ukraine must surrender the entire Donbas or Moscow will take it by force; Trump urges the EU to “talk less and act more” on a rapid compromise [9].

Dec 16 2025 – In Berlin, Zelensky declares any peace format that places Donbas under Russian control “unacceptable,” despite U.S. envoys claiming 90 % of negotiation points are settled; the Institute for the Study of War warns the Kremlin will reject any deal that does not include full territorial gains [8].

Dec 17 2025 – President Putin tells the Russian Defence Ministry that Russia will not compromise on Ukrainian land‑giveaways and threatens to achieve “the liberation of its historical lands” by force if talks stall; the Institute for the Study of War projects Russia will not fully control contested Donbas until August 2027 [5].

Dec 30 2025 – Russia, the United States and Ukraine say peace talks have reached a final stage, but disputes over Donbas territory and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant remain; Zelensky proposes a demilitarised zone policed by international forces and a referendum to validate any deal, while the U.S. floats a joint‑management model for the plant [1].

Jan 6 2026 – In Paris, President Zelensky tells reporters the territorial question is the biggest remaining obstacle to peace and notes that U.S. and Ukrainian officials have “discussed some ideas” on land options; White House envoy Steve Witkoff confirms “land options” were raised and the Ukrainian delegation will stay for further consultations [11].

Jan 23 2026 – The United States, Russia and Ukraine hold their first trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, all agreeing that Donbas is the sole sticking point; Zelensky reiterates that Donbas is non‑negotiable for Kyiv, while Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov warns no lasting settlement can occur without resolving the territorial issue [4].

Jan 27 2026 – Kremlin negotiator Kirill Dmitriev posts that Ukraine’s withdrawal from Donbas is the “path to peace,” echoing a Financial Times report linking U.S. security guarantees to a Donbas concession; Zelensky announces a “100 percent” ready security‑guarantee document and says Abu Dhabi talks will resume in the coming days [7].

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