US floated redrawing Ukraine's regional borders to let Russia claim Donbas victory - The Economist
U.S. negotiators have floated the idea of redrawing Ukraine's administrative boundaries so Russia could claim control over the entire Donbas region without Ukraine surrendering the cities it still holds, The Economist reported on Nov. 9, citing people involved in negotiations.
Under the proposal, the borders of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions would be changed, potentially allowing Moscow to declare that it had achieved one of its central war aims while Kyiv retained control of territory currently held by Ukrainian forces.
The report did not establish whether Ukraine had agreed to consider the proposal or how such a change would be implemented.
The idea is among several concessions reportedly discussed by American negotiators ahead of trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and the United States in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10–11.
Another proposal would allow Russian energy supplies to return to European markets. Ukraine and its European partners oppose the idea, which would conflict with the EU's existing restrictions on Russian energy.
People familiar with the negotiations told The Economist that Moscow had recently shown unusual flexibility, particularly over the possibility of a ceasefire along the current front lines.
However, the reported shift came after U.S. negotiators expanded discussions to include broader European security arrangements, raising concerns that Russia could use the additional issues to delay a ceasefire while continuing its war.
Security guarantees remain a central obstacle. U.S. negotiators have suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin might accept guarantees resembling NATO's collective-defense provisions, but Ukrainian officials doubt that President Donald Trump would reliably enforce such commitments.
Russia has also shown no willingness to accept a multinational support force in Ukraine or abandon demands that Ukraine remain neutral and reduce its military.
Ukraine, meanwhile, wants to retain an army of 800,000 personnel after the war and secure funding for veterans and reconstruction.
The Economist reported that Trump's defeat in the U.S. midterm elections has added urgency to the administration's diplomatic efforts. Democrats are due to take control of both chambers of Congress in January.
Ukrainian negotiators remain skeptical that Russia is ready for a comprehensive peace agreement before the end of its winter military campaign, according to the report.
The latest trilateral talks began in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10, following consultations between Ukrainian officials and representatives of the United States and European partners.