Putin insists on transferring all of Donbas to Russia
Photo: Vladimir Putin, Russian president (Getty Images)
Vladimir Putin has said that Russia is maintaining its territorial claims to Donbas and is refusing to discuss the return of the Kramatorsk–Kostiantynivka–Sloviansk hub, according to Russian media.
On Thursday, December 25, during a pre-New Year meeting of Russia’s State Council, Vladimir Putin discussed domestic issues, but placed particular emphasis on negotiations with the United States and Ukraine within the framework of a proposed peace plan.
According to one Russian pro-government outlet, the central topic was Russia’s territorial demands regarding Ukraine’s Donbas region.
Putin's statements on Donbas
Russian media report that Putin said Russia continues to insist on the transfer of the entire territory of Donbas, including areas it failed to seize during military operations.
The Kremlin leader reportedly repeated the narrative that "Donbas is ours" and stated that the issue of the Kramatorsk–Kostiantynivka–Sloviansk hub "is not up for discussion."
At the same time, Putin did not rule out the possibility of a partial territorial exchange on Russia’s side, without specifying which territories might be involved.
Negotiations and nuclear power plant control
Putin also spoke about talks with the United States and Europe, referring to arrangements reached in Anchorage, and said Russia was prepared to make certain concessions. Particular attention was reportedly given to the idea of joint management of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant with the United States.
US senators have condemned Russia’s strikes on Ukrainian cities on Christmas evening, stressing that attacks on Kherson, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Sumy, the Donetsk region, and Kryvyi Rih targeted civilians attending holiday events and prayers.
Separately, transcripts of talks between Putin and former US President George W. Bush that surfaced online indicate that as early as 2001 and 2008, the Kremlin leader clearly opposed Ukraine’s potential accession to NATO and outlined other disputed issues, demonstrating his long-term positions on regional security.
