A new report suggests that U.S. President Donald Trump may be pressing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to surrender the entirety of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions (Donbas) to Russia as part of a peace deal. The article explores the profound implications of such a move, which many Ukrainians view as a tragic betrayal.
The Proposed Deal and Its Stakes
According to sources, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed this deal at the recent Alaska summit, offering to freeze the rest of the front line in exchange for full control of the Donbas region. While Luhansk is almost entirely under Russian control, Ukraine still holds an estimated 30% of Donetsk, including key cities and fortifications, which have been defended at the cost of tens of thousands of lives.
A Ukrainian historian, Yaroslav Hrytsak, said that to surrender this territory would be a “tragedy,” as it is rich in minerals and industry and holds significant historical and cultural value for Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Dilemma: Land vs. Life
The report highlights a deeply divided sentiment among Ukrainians regarding the proposal:
- Feelings of Betrayal: A military chaplain in the city of Sloviansk described a feeling of “resignation and abandonment,” stating that the potential land handover felt like a “betrayal.”
- Constitutional and Legal Hurdles: Ukrainian MPs warned that ceding the land would be a “breakdown of our constitution” and could have the “hallmarks of treason.” Any formal handover would require approval from parliament and a national referendum.
- War Fatigue: A rescue worker from Kramatorsk offered a counterpoint, stating, “Life is more important than territory” and that he is not ready to sacrifice thousands of lives for a few thousand square kilometers.
The Role of Security Guarantees
Polling from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology shows that about 75% of Ukrainians object to any formal cession of land. However, for those who might consider a deal, “real guarantees, not just written promises” are seen as vital. The article notes that a “glimmer of good news” for Ukraine is Trump’s apparent shift in position, as he now seems willing to join Europe in offering military protection against future Russian attacks.
