Trump Pressures Zelenskyy to Surrender Donbas – Meets with European Leaders in Washington

Peace Without a Ceasefire

In Washington, several European leaders gather alongside Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump. The goal: peace in Ukraine. But the path there is dividing the assembly. Trump is pushing for a direct peace agreement in which Ukraine would cede the Donbas region to Russia—without an initial ceasefire.

Trump argues that ceasefires “often don’t last” and instead proposes a “deal” with Vladimir Putin in which Russia takes full control of Donetsk and Luhansk. In return, Putin promises to freeze the frontline in the south and relinquish smaller areas in Sumy and Kharkiv.

European Resistance

Zelenskyy receives backing from leaders such as Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz, and Ursula von der Leyen, who insist that Ukraine’s territorial integrity is not up for negotiation. “International borders must not be changed by force,” reads a joint statement from the European leaders, who also warn against skipping the step of a ceasefire.

Former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace calls Trump’s approach “the appeasement of the 1930s,” cautioning that while it might save lives in the short term, it could ultimately make Europe less secure.

Putin’s Strategic Game

Putin’s plan is straightforward: secure control of Donbas—a region rich in coal and iron—and offer a “pause” along the southern front. Trump calls it a “breakthrough,” while critics see it as a ploy to maintain a favorable power balance without genuinely retreating.

Zelenskyy responds unequivocally: “A true peace must be lasting—not just a pause between Russian invasions.” He emphasizes that peace requires not only a ceasefire, but also withdrawal, and the release of prisoners of war and abducted children.

A Test in Washington

Zelenskyy faces a difficult position. He must show willingness for peace without crossing the limits of what the Ukrainian people will accept. At the same time, he sees Trump approaching Putin more warmly than himself.

According to analysts such as Olga Tokariuk from CEPA, it is a diplomatic crossroads: “Zelenskyy must demonstrate that Ukraine seeks peace—but not at any price.”

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