US reportedly ties security guarantees to Ukraine ceding Donbas territory
The Financial Times says the Trump administration has told Kyiv that US security guarantees would come only after a peace deal likely requiring Ukraine to cede parts of Donbas, while Ukraine insists guarantees must come first as diplomacy resumes ahead of talks on Feb 1.
- Report cites eight people familiar with talks who say Washington links guarantees to a peace deal that would include territorial concessions in Donbas.
- Kyiv rejects preemptive withdrawal and demands security guarantees before agreeing to lose territory.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky has said US guarantees are essential and were expected to be ready this month.
- The US has floated alternatives such as a demilitarized zone, a free economic zone, and additional post-war weapons for Ukraine.
- Luhansk is almost entirely under Russian control while Ukraine still holds parts of Donetsk, where its main defensive lines stand.
- Key sticking points for upcoming talks include Ukrainian withdrawals from parts of Donbas and control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.