Putin demands Donbas transfer to russia and refuses to discuss Kramatorsk and Slovyansk - media

Russian dictator vladimir putin confirmed the immutability of the Kremlin's territorial claims to Donbas and stated his unwillingness to discuss the return of the Kramatorsk-Kostiantynivka-Slovyansk node to Ukraine.

This is reported by russian media.

On December 25, during the pre-New Year's meeting of the State Council of the russian federation, putin, in addition to domestic issues, focused on the topic of negotiations with the United States and Ukraine within the framework of a possible peace process. According to russian propaganda media, the key topic was Moscow's territorial demands.

According to them, putin stated that russia insists on obtaining the entire territory of Donbas, including areas that could not be occupied during the fighting. He once again repeated the thesis "Donbas is ours" and emphasized that "the issue of the Kramatorsk-Kostiantynivka-Slovyansk node's belonging is not under discussion."

At the same time, the dictator admitted the possibility of a partial territorial exchange by russia, but did not specify which territories it could be.

Recall that according to the peace plan, territories are the most difficult point. Zelenskyy voiced two options. In both cases, russia withdraws troops from the Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv Regions. Option A: the current line of contact remains in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson Regions. Option B: a free economic zone in the territory of Donbas - Ukraine is ready to hold a referendum to approve it. However, Ukrainians will vote not only for this point, but also for the entire agreement. If the decision is made, a separate agreement on the status of a special economic zone will be concluded between Ukraine, the United States, and the russians.