Russia's Stance on Donbas: A Closer Look

Russia's President, Vladimir Putin, recently shared his thoughts on the Donbas region in Ukraine. He stated that Russia aims to take full control of this area, either through military means or by forcing Ukrainian troops to retreat. This statement came during an interview with India Today, just before his visit to New Delhi. The Donbas region, which includes Donetsk and Luhansk, has been a hotspot for conflict since 2014. In February 2022, Putin escalated the situation by sending thousands of troops into Ukraine. This move followed years of tension between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces. Ukraine, however, is not willing to give up its territory. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has made it clear that Russia should not be rewarded for starting the war. Currently, Russia controls a significant portion of Ukraine, including all of Luhansk and most of Donetsk. Peace talks between Russia and the United States have been ongoing. Russia has consistently demanded control over the entire Donbas region. However, most countries still recognize these regions, along with Crimea, as part of Ukraine. In a recent meeting with U. S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Putin expressed that the talks were productive. He mentioned that Russia had accepted some U. S. proposals and suggested continuing the discussions.