Ukraine rejects latest U.S. proposal on Donbas: Details of talks

During peace talks in Geneva on 17–18 February, American diplomats proposed the creation of a demilitarized zone in Donbas under joint administration by Ukrainian and Russian authorities.

However, Kyiv rejected the initiative as “completely unrealistic and unacceptable,” the Kyiv Independent reported.

Disguised surrender of positions

The U.S. plan envisaged the withdrawal of both Russian and Ukrainian forces from part of the Donetsk region and the establishment of a joint civilian authority there.
Oleksandr Merezhko, Head of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, said the plan would effectively require Ukrainian forces to leave well-fortified defensive positions and hand them over to Russia.

He said U.S. officials were drawing comparisons with the demilitarised zone between North Korea and South Korea, but noted that the Korean buffer zone is far shorter than Ukraine’s current front line, which runs for hundreds of kilometres.

“This is our land. We do not recognize it as Russian, even if it is a free economic zone. Our land means our people, our flag and our control,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said previously about similar territorial proposals.

No compromise and the role of the United States

Ukrainian officials say Moscow continues to demand the full withdrawal of Ukrainian Armed Forces from the region, making any joint governance arrangements impossible.

Lawmaker Yaroslav Yurchyshyn says it is premature to expect such ideas to be implemented, arguing that the best response to similar proposals is the continued strengthening of Ukraine and its military.

The Geneva talks did not yield a breakthrough on territorial issues.

At the same time, Ukraine’s president said one key consensus was reached: in the event of a ceasefire, the United States would bear primary responsibility for monitoring compliance.