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Ukraine rejects U.S. proposal to redraw Donetsk and Luhansk borders, The Telegraph reports
Ukraine has rejected a reported U.S. proposal to redraw the borders of Donetsk and Luhansk, which could allow Russia to claim it had captured both regions without Ukraine giving up territory it still controls. A Ukrainian source close to the negotiations said Kyiv would not recognise Russian claims to occupied land, either in practice or in law.
The proposal was reported by The Economist, while The Telegraph cited the Ukrainian source’s response. Russia and Ukraine began a second day of talks in Abu Dhabi on 11 November, with U.S. participation; the first day covered possible post-war security guarantees and prisoner exchanges. The territorial question was expected to be the focus of the second day.
In short
- Ukraine rejected a reported U.S. border proposal.
- The idea could let Russia claim both regions.
- Territorial issues were due to feature in Abu Dhabi talks.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A border adjustment could be argued to offer a pragmatic route to ending the war if it reflects realities on the ground without requiring Ukraine formally to cede territory it still controls. Supporters might say that a negotiated settlement, paired with credible security guarantees and humanitarian measures such as prisoner exchanges, could reduce further deaths while leaving the legal status of occupied land unresolved.
The case against
Ukraine’s refusal can be defended on the grounds that recognising or accommodating Russian claims would reward territorial conquest and weaken the principle that borders cannot be changed by force. From this view, even a pragmatic-looking redrawing could entrench occupation, undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and leave other states less secure; any settlement should therefore avoid validating those claims.
Explained simply
Donetsk and Luhansk are regions in eastern Ukraine, part of an area often called the Donbas. Russian-backed forces took control of parts of both regions in 2014, and Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Russia claims both regions as its own, although Ukraine still controls some of the land. Ukraine rejects those claims. Any change to borders or recognition of Russian control would affect Ukraine’s territory and the terms of a possible settlement.
The United States has taken part in talks between Russia and Ukraine on issues including security guarantees and prisoner exchanges. The territorial dispute is central because the sides would need to address who controls the land in any agreement to end the war.