East Ukraine Flashpoint: Putin’s Goal, Zelenskyy’s Stand, and the Politics of Land
With U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin set to meet in Anchorage, Alaska, speculation over a possible “land swap” deal is intensifying. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has drawn a clear line — there will be no withdrawal from the Donbas.
Zelenskyy’s Unyielding Position
Speaking to reporters, Zelenskyy warned that leaving the Donbas — Ukraine’s eastern industrial hub — would open the door to further Russian offensives.
“For the Russians, Donbas is a springboard for a future new offensive. If we leave Donbas of our own accord or under pressure, we will start a third war,” he said.
The Ukrainian leader stressed he has “no right” to give up territory, adding that the region’s fortifications, terrain, and high ground are critical to the country’s defence.
What and Where is Donbas
Short for “Donets Basin,” the Donbas consists of Donetsk and Luhansk — Ukraine’s coal- and steel-rich heartland, home to a third of the population before the war. Russia currently holds all of Luhansk, much of Donetsk, and swathes of Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and smaller areas of Kharkiv and Sumy, along with Crimea, annexed in 2014. Ukraine still controls roughly 30% of Donetsk, including heavily fortified lines and key elevated positions where over 200,000 civilians live.
Moscow’s Demands
Putin is pushing for Ukraine to withdraw from the 9,000 square kilometres of Donetsk still under Kyiv’s control — effectively surrendering all of Donbas. Analysts say such a concession would strengthen Russia’s hold on the region and provide a launchpad for deeper incursions into central Ukraine.
Zelenskyy’s Red Lines and Security Fears
Zelenskyy insists that Ukraine must be directly involved in any talks about territory:
“Any productive talks without [Ukraine] at the table will not work for us.”
He has also warned that Russia’s troop buildup could precede a new offensive by September and rejected any settlement without enforceable security guarantees — something he says only European partners are offering.
Trump’s Role and the ‘Land Swap’ Concept
Trump has floated the idea of exchanging territory as a route to peace, saying after the Alaska meeting he will brief both Kyiv and European leaders. Critics argue the proposal risks handing Putin a political victory while undermining Ukraine’s security. The White House has described the talks as a “listening exercise,” confirming that a Trump–Putin one-on-one is planned.
Why Donbas is Strategically Vital
The Donbas has been a central battlefield since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and separatists seized parts of Donetsk and Luhansk. Cities like Bakhmut and Avdiivka have long served as strongholds. The Ukrainian-held area forms a key defensive line blocking Russia’s path westward. Losing it would mean giving up costly fortifications, vital railways, and mineral-rich land — as well as exposing central Ukraine.
The region is also part of Ukraine’s “fortress belt” of fortified towns that has stopped Russian advances for more than a decade and links to routes toward the Black Sea — a long-standing Kremlin objective.
Kyiv’s Legal and Political Constraints
Ukraine’s constitution forbids the president from ceding territory, and public opinion is firmly against trading land for peace — with opposition even stronger among military personnel. Historian Yaroslav Hrytsak says the national ethos of “nothing about us without us” makes any externally imposed settlement illegitimate in Ukrainian eyes.
Why Russia Might Prefer Diplomacy Now
Military experts note that while Russia is making gains, at the current pace it could take years to capture all remaining Ukrainian-held territory. A negotiated handover could achieve Moscow’s goals far faster and with fewer costs, though analysts warn Putin may use any ceasefire to regroup and strike again later.
High Stakes in Alaska
For Ukraine, giving up Donbas would dismantle its defensive shield, breach constitutional limits, defy public sentiment, and force mass civilian displacement. As Trump and Putin prepare to meet, Zelenskyy’s message is unwavering — no decision on Ukraine’s land can be made without Ukraine itself at the table.
