The Kremlin has called on Kyiv to make a “brave decision” and immediately withdraw its military forces from the eastern Donbas region following a high-level discussion between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Yuri Ushakov, a top diplomatic advisor to the Kremlin, told reporters on Sunday that a full Ukrainian exit from the remaining fifth of the Donetsk region—currently the epicenter of the geopolitical landscape—is a non-negotiable prerequisite for any potential peace agreement.
Why It Matters
The alignment between Moscow and the incoming U.S. administration marks a significant shift in the diplomatic approach to the conflict. Both leaders have reportedly expressed skepticism toward the “temporary ceasefire” models favored by European allies and the current Ukrainian administration. By demanding a full withdrawal from the Donbas as a baseline for talks, Russia is signaling that it intends to secure its primary territorial objectives before formal negotiations begin, potentially narrowing the window for a compromise that preserves Ukraine’s pre-war borders.
What to Know
The recent communication, which Ushakov described as “friendly,” was initiated by Trump ahead of his highly anticipated Florida meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. During the call, both Putin and Trump reportedly agreed that a temporary ceasefire would be counterproductive, arguing it would merely allow Ukraine to rearm and lead to an eventual resumption of hostilities.
Instead of a pause in fighting, the Kremlin is pushing for a demand for withdrawal that addresses the “root causes” of the war. To facilitate this, Putin has proposed the creation of two specialized working groups dedicated to resolving the settlement: one focused on regional security frameworks and the other on economic cooperation.
What People Are Saying
Yuri Ushakov emphasized that Russia is looking for a “final settlement” rather than a stop-gap measure. He noted that Trump expressed a desire to conclude the war “as rapidly as possible,” suggesting that a swift resolution would pave the way for “impressive cooperation” involving the United States, Russia, and Ukraine.
However, the insistence on Ukraine abandoning the Donbas—territory it has fought to defend for over a decade—remains a major point of contention. While Moscow frames this as a Putin’s proposal for peace, Kyiv has historically viewed such demands as a surrender of sovereignty.
What Happens Next
The diplomatic focus now shifts to Florida, where Trump is set to meet with Zelenskyy to discuss the American perspective on ending the war. Following those talks, Trump and Putin are scheduled to speak again to compare notes and evaluate the feasibility of the proposed working groups. The international community will be watching closely to see if Zelenskyy remains firm on territorial integrity or if the pressure from a shifting Washington consensus forces a change in Kyiv’s defensive strategy.
