Russia Scales Back Ukraine Territorial Demands, according to Turkiye's Diplomat
Turkey's Foreign Minister reveals shift in Russia's stance on territorial concessions in ongoing peace talks with Ukraine.
Istanbul: Russia is now demanding that Ukraine cede control of all the eastern Donbas region but would be willing to freeze the conflict in southern Ukraine along current front lines, according to Turkiye’s top diplomat.
This marks a shift from earlier demands by Russia, which had sought to have Ukraine pull out entirely from regions claimed by Russia as part of its annexations following the 2014 Crimea seizure and the ongoing conflict that started with Russia's 2022 invasion.Russian forces currently occupy approximately one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory, including parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, which have been claimed by Russia as annexed territories.
The demand for territorial concessions was a precondition Russia had set during peace talks in Istanbul this year.
However, following a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, Moscow has reevaluated its stance.Turkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan disclosed that Russia has scaled back its demands to staying on the current front lines, except for one unspecified region where there is a preliminary agreement regarding the return of 25-30 percent of Donetsk and maintaining the current front line in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
The details of this arrangement and who it was agreed with remain unclear.Ukraine has consistently rejected territorial concessions, emphasizing that any diplomatic efforts to end the conflict must not compromise its sovereignty over its territory.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously stated that Ukraine would seek land returns through diplomacy rather than military means.Russia currently exercises full control over Crimea and significant portions of Luhansk.
While Moscow controls much of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, Ukraine holds the regional capitals.
The shift in Russia's position was initially reported based on briefings from unnamed officials, and Turkiye has hosted several rounds of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul without success.Despite a recent attack on Kyiv that killed at least 23 people, hindering further peace progress, Fidan sees potential in the diplomatic movement.
He noted that Moscow’s explicit statement of its reduced demands, coupled with an agreement to establish a security mechanism, provides a framework for a resolution to the conflict.
However, he acknowledged the strategic challenges Ukraine faces in ceding territory and securing its defenses.
This marks a shift from earlier demands by Russia, which had sought to have Ukraine pull out entirely from regions claimed by Russia as part of its annexations following the 2014 Crimea seizure and the ongoing conflict that started with Russia's 2022 invasion.Russian forces currently occupy approximately one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory, including parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, which have been claimed by Russia as annexed territories.
The demand for territorial concessions was a precondition Russia had set during peace talks in Istanbul this year.
However, following a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, Moscow has reevaluated its stance.Turkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan disclosed that Russia has scaled back its demands to staying on the current front lines, except for one unspecified region where there is a preliminary agreement regarding the return of 25-30 percent of Donetsk and maintaining the current front line in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
The details of this arrangement and who it was agreed with remain unclear.Ukraine has consistently rejected territorial concessions, emphasizing that any diplomatic efforts to end the conflict must not compromise its sovereignty over its territory.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously stated that Ukraine would seek land returns through diplomacy rather than military means.Russia currently exercises full control over Crimea and significant portions of Luhansk.
While Moscow controls much of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, Ukraine holds the regional capitals.
The shift in Russia's position was initially reported based on briefings from unnamed officials, and Turkiye has hosted several rounds of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul without success.Despite a recent attack on Kyiv that killed at least 23 people, hindering further peace progress, Fidan sees potential in the diplomatic movement.
He noted that Moscow’s explicit statement of its reduced demands, coupled with an agreement to establish a security mechanism, provides a framework for a resolution to the conflict.
However, he acknowledged the strategic challenges Ukraine faces in ceding territory and securing its defenses.
