Ukraine could lose its fortress belt if it leaves Donetsk after 11 years holding back Russia – ISW
Photo: Ukraine will lose its fortress belt if it withdraws from Donetsk region (Getty Images)
Ukraine may lose an important fortress belt if it withdraws from the Donetsk region. It has been holding back the Russian forces for 11 years, according to a report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Russian president Vladimir Putin may be offering a meeting with US President Donald Trump in an attempt to postpone sanctions, the report says.
Putin's proposal calls for the surrender of Ukrainian-held territory before a ceasefire is concluded, a condition that Trump and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have both rejected.
Analysts note that surrendering the rest of the Donetsk region as a precondition for a ceasefire without commitments would be beneficial for Russia, which would avoid a long and bloody fight for land.
“Conceding such a demand would force Ukraine to abandon its "fortress belt," the main fortified defensive line in Donetsk region since 2014 — with no guarantee that fighting will not resume,” the report says.
The fortress belt has been holding back Russian troops for the past 11 years. It consists of four large cities and several towns and villages stretching north-south along the H-20 highway from Kostiantynivka to Sloviansk, with a total pre-war population of over 380,537.
The line is 50 kilometers long. Sloviansk and Kramatorsk form the northern half of the belt and serve as important logistical centers for Ukrainian troops. Druzhkivka, Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka, and Kostiantynivka make up the southern half of the belt.
Ukrainian troops first began building defensive positions in and around these cities after recapturing them in April 2014.
Photo: map of the fighting (understandingwar.org)
Trump admits exchange of territories
US President Donald Trump said that he admits the possibility of exchanging territories between Ukraine and Russia, as well as returning part of Ukrainian lands.
Trump also announced the date and place of his meeting with Vladimir Putin - August 15 in Alaska. According to CBS News, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may also join the summit.
Zelenskyy responded to Trump's words about the territories. He emphasized that Ukraine will not give land to the Russians and will not deviate from the Constitution.
