Die Welt: Some Ukrainian MPs back Donbas concession

Some members of Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada (parliament) are ready to consider abandoning Donbas in exchange for a compromise, a Die Welt journalist Steffen Schwarzkopf announced, referring to an “extremely influential” Ukrainian lawmaker.

According to that lawmaker, such a decision would be painful, but many MPs and citizens of the country support this approach.

The MP declined to comment on camera, fearing pressure from the president’s administration and Ukrainian intelligence services, which, she said, could instantly end her political career.

This revelation emerges amid intensified US-brokered peace talks, involving Trump, special envoys like Steve Witkoff, and Ukrainian negotiators, following meetings in Florida in late 2025. US proposals have repeatedly pushed Ukraine toward concessions on territory, including ceding parts or all of the Donbas where Russia controls about 88–90% as of early 2026. Trump also pressured Kyiv for a full withdrawal from the remaining Ukrainian-held areas in Donetsk/Luhansk.

By Khagan Isayev