The idea of creating a “demilitarized zone” in the Donbas generates distrust among Ukrainians, who believe that it would only give the Russian Army an additional advantage on the front, while kyiv is under double pressure from the US and Moscow to give up territories in the negotiations in exchange for a hypothetical peace.
The fate of the roughly 25% of the Donetsk region and a small part of neighboring Luhansk that remain under Ukrainian control after nearly four years of full-scale war remains a key point of contention as we seek a formula in negotiations between the US and kyiv that may be acceptable to Russia.
As Russia insists on gaining full control over the regions it considers its territory, Zelensky has revealed that Washington has proposed the creation of a “demilitarized zone” or “free economic zone” there, provided that Ukraine withdraws its troops from Kramatorsk, Sloviansk, Druzhkivka and other heavily fortified areas.
