【Wen / Observer Net, Xiong Chaoran】The future of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine has remained unresolved, and this has become a key factor in the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict.

According to a December 11 report by the UK's Financial Times, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said that US President Trump is urging Ukraine to withdraw its troops from the Donbas region in order to establish a so-called "free economic zone" in areas currently partially controlled by Kyiv.

Last month, the US-proposed "28-point peace plan" had called for Ukrainian forces to withdraw from the Donetsk region and establish a "neutral, non-military buffer zone." According to a preliminary plan that circulated, the area would be recognized internationally as part of the Russian Federation. However, Zelenskyy stated that Trump and his negotiation team have now proposed a "compromise solution."

"They envision Ukrainian forces leaving the territory of the Donetsk region, while the so-called 'compromise solution' is that Russian forces will not enter this area," he said: "The area they call a 'free economic zone' or 'non-military zone' remains unclear who will govern it... This is roughly the compromise solution currently envisioned by the US."

On December 11, 2025, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy held constructive and in-depth discussions with a senior US delegation on one of the three documents currently being advanced, a security assurance agreement. IC Photo

Zelenskyy said that it is unfair to ask Ukraine to withdraw its troops without strong security guarantees supported by the United States, as there is no mechanism to prevent Russia from advancing into the region.

"Perhaps we can ask: if one side withdraws from a place, as the US hopes Ukraine does, why shouldn't the other side also withdraw the same distance from another direction?" Zelenskyy asked: "Many questions still remain."

"We Ukrainians may not accept such a proposal, but if you want to negotiate a compromise, you must present a fair compromise," he revealed. He mentioned that the discussions are still ongoing.

In the evening of December 11, Zelenskyy in Kyiv said that he and his senior advisors and negotiation team had engaged in "constructive and in-depth dialogue" with US Secretary of State Rubio, Defense Secretary Hegseth, Middle East special envoy Witkov, Trump's son-in-law Kushner, several US generals, and NATO Secretary General Rüter, on issues of security guarantees.

While speaking to journalists, Zelenskyy also raised the idea of submitting the issue of "territorial cession" to a referendum.

"I think this is a question that the Ukrainian people must answer," he said: "Whether through elections or a national referendum, the position of the Ukrainian people must be clearly expressed."

The Financial Times noted that as Trump and his peace negotiators intensify pressure to resolve the long-standing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russian President Putin continues to insist on his maximalist demands, including the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the eastern Donbas region.

This means that Kyiv would have to hand over its most fortified frontline defense area, known as the "fortress belt," which the Russian military has been unable to seize by force over the past 11 years.

Although Zelenskyy has expressed support for the latest US proposal, he emphasized that according to the Ukrainian constitution, the president has no authority to decide on land cessions.

He said: "Our current position is that as long as we remain at our current location... along the contact line, everything is fair." He reiterated his stance that negotiations should be based on the current frontline positions, a view previously supported by Trump himself.

"The current discussions (between the US, Ukraine, and European partners) are taking place between these different positions, and no final agreement has been reached yet," he added.

On December 11, Zelenskyy held an online meeting with German Chancellor Merkel, French President Macron, and British Prime Minister Starmer to discuss coordination of sanctions and their impact on Russia, as well as progress in utilizing frozen Russian assets.

"Leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to fund military support," said a spokesperson for Starmer: "The UK will continue to closely cooperate with partners to pressure Russia and provide support to Ukraine for as long as needed."

Zelenskyy said that Trump did not set a hard deadline for signing the peace proposal, but he added: "I think they do hope, perhaps still hope, to have a comprehensive understanding of our position in this agreement before Christmas." He also said: "For us, the result is what matters most."

Zelenskyy said that the US is also seeking a joint arrangement for the management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (currently under Russian military control). The Financial Times emphasized that Russia has yet to indicate whether it will accept the current peace plan led by the US.

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Original: toutiao.com/article/7582933577755607588/

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