US pushing Ukraine to give up Donbas for security guarantees in negotiations, Zelensky says

Published March 26, 2026 1:56pm ET



The United States is making its security guarantees for a peace deal contingent upon Ukraine agreeing to give up the entire Donbas region — territory Russia has not conquered militarily in over a decade of fighting — according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukrainian leaders view the prospect of security guarantees from the U.S. as an essential part of any agreement to end the war, meant to ensure Russia cannot restart the conflict at a time of its choosing in the future.

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