Ukraine Rejects US Plan to Redraw Donbas Borders to Give Putin Symbolic Victory

Ukraine has declined a proposal from the United States to redraw the borders of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, according to a Ukrainian source familiar with the negotiations, The Telegraph reports. The Ukrainian delegation has consistently maintained that they will not recognize any territories occupied by Russia, de facto or de jure, The Telegraph cites the source as stating.

This stance has been consistent throughout the negotiations. Earlier reports from The Economist suggested that American negotiators had proposed altering the borders of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions as part of a territorial agreement between Russia and Ukraine. The proposal was intended to allow Russia to claim full control of the regions while Ukraine would not be required to surrender any unoccupied territory.

Ukraine and Russia initiated a second round of talks in Abu Dhabi on November 11, with the participation of the United States. The first day of discussions centered on security assurances that Ukraine and Russia hope to secure post-war, along with prisoner exchanges. The second day of talks will focus on the issue of territory. Meduza adheres to transparency regarding its use of artificial intelligence in the newsroom.

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