Ukrainian civilians in Donetsk oppose being traded to Russia for peace
Peace talks have narrowed to control of Donetsk and postwar security guarantees
Civilians face a choice between fleeing or potentially living under Russian rule
Ukraine has heavily fortified the region and rejects the premise of inevitable loss
The human cost of the war remains extremely high on both sides
📖 Full Retelling
Four years into the war that began with Russia's invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, Ukrainian civilians in the eastern Donetsk region are facing an agonizing choice as peace talks brokered by the Trump administration consider surrendering the territory to Moscow in exchange for a promise of peace for the rest of Ukraine. In Sloviansk, a city just 12 miles from the front line, residents like Daria Bondareva, a 28-year-old beauty salon owner, express unwavering opposition to being handed over to Russia, despite the growing pressure to compromise. The approximately 190,000 civilians living in Ukrainian-controlled Donetsk would face a dire decision: either uproot their lives and relocate elsewhere in Ukraine or potentially live under Russian rule, which has been associated with human rights abuses in occupied territories. President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly stated that Ukraine will not unilaterally withdraw from Donetsk, a territory where thousands have died defending, arguing such a move would violate the Constitution and create a springboard for future Russian aggression. The military situation remains contested, with Ukraine having heavily fortified the region since 2014 and maintaining defensive positions despite Russia's slow advances, which come at tremendous human cost with reports of hundreds of Russian casualties for each square mile of territory seized.
Donetsk Oblast, also called Donechchyna (Ukrainian: Донеччина, IPA: [doˈnɛtʃːɪnɐ]), is an oblast in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. About three-fourths (75%) of it is occupied by Russia. Before the Russo-Ukrainian War, it was Ukraine's most populous province, with around 4.1 million residents.
No entity connections available yet for this article.
Deep Analysis
Why It Matters
The potential cession of Donetsk represents a critical juncture in the Ukraine-Russia war, directly impacting the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians and testing Ukraine's sovereignty. It highlights the agonizing human cost of peace negotiations and the profound moral and strategic dilemmas facing the Ukrainian government. The outcome will set a precedent for future security in Europe and the integrity of international borders.
Context & Background
The war began with Russia's full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.
Donetsk has been a major frontline region since 2014, with parts already occupied by Russia.
Peace talks, brokered by the Trump administration, are ongoing as of February 2026.
Russia demands control of Donetsk in exchange for a promise of peace.
Ukrainian-held Donetsk contains major cities like Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.
What Happens Next
Peace negotiations will continue, with the future of Donetsk remaining the central issue. President Zelensky faces immense pressure, and the decision could lead to either a settlement or a prolonged military stalemate. The residents of the region will ultimately face a choice between displacement or living under Russian occupation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main issue in the peace talks?
The main issue is control of the Donetsk region, which Russia demands but Ukraine is reluctant to cede.
What would happen to civilians if Donetsk is ceded?
Civilians would face a difficult choice: uproot their lives to move elsewhere in Ukraine or stay and live under Russian rule.
What is the current military situation in Donetsk?
Russia is making slow, costly advances, while Ukraine has heavily fortified the area, creating a largely static but violent frontline.
Original Source
These Ukrainians Don’t Want to Be Traded to Russia for Peace Four years into the war, a major sticking point in talks is control of the eastern Donetsk region. Residents could face an agonizing choice if Ukraine gives up the territory. Daria Bondareva last month with a customer at her salon in Sloviansk, Ukraine, in the Donetsk region. Credit... Lynsey Addario for The New York Times Supported by SKIP ADVERTISEMENT Listen to this article · 8:39 min Learn more Share full article By Andrew E. Kramer Photographs by Lynsey Addario and Tyler Hicks Reporting from Sloviansk, Ukraine Feb. 24, 2026 Daria Bondareva gushes with enthusiasm for the beauty salon she opened two years ago, fulfilling a dream to run her own business. It is a warm and well-lit space, drawing a steady stream of clients. And she does not want it handed over to Russia, along with the rest of the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, where she has lived her whole life. Four years into a war that Moscow began with a lightning invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, this is the essential trade being offered to Kyiv in talks brokered by the Trump administration. Surrender Donetsk, Ukraine has been told, and in exchange get a promise of peace in the rest of the country. Ms. Bondareva, 28, has little faith that Russia would abide by any agreement. For her, that makes the idea of giving up territory that Moscow has demanded but failed to conquer an unfathomable risk. “I don’t think Ukraine will ever agree to this,” she said. “I don’t know what will need to happen for Ukraine to agree to give us up.” As fighting continues to rage along hundreds of miles of front line, Russia and Ukraine are engaging in near-weekly peace talks. Negotiators have narrowed their differences largely to two core issues: control of Donetsk and guarantees of Ukraine’s postwar security. The talks about territory are driven by Russia’s slow but seemingly inevitable advances. The argument by those pushing Ukraine to relinquish the territory is that Kyiv w...
