“Obsessed with the idea”: Trump’s special envoy Witkoff insists on handing over the occupied part of Donetsk region to Russia
Фото: Reuters
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is urging Ukraine to hand over occupied areas of the Donetsk region to Russia, saying such concessions could lead to a “just peace” and prevent further escalation.
This is reported by the Financial Times .
According to journalists, Steve Witkoff is “obsessed with the idea” of handing over the occupied part of the Donetsk region to Russia. The publication cites comments from high-ranking Ukrainian officials.
It is noted that Witkoff insists that this will help avoid a longer and more destructive war. Journalists noted that he, along with other representatives of the Trump administration, has been promoting the idea of a “land swap” in recent weeks.
Administration officials believe that territorial concessions could become part of a future peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia.
Previously, Donald Trump stated that Ukraine “has no cards” and risks losing more next year if it refuses to make “reasonable territorial concessions” now.
The Financial Times specifies that Ukraine currently controls about 25 percent of the Donetsk region. The publication emphasizes that this territory is of high political and military importance and includes a fortified line of the cities of Pokrovsk, Kostyantynivka, Druzhkivka, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.
The material emphasizes that if these cities are captured, it will be easier for Russian troops to advance deeper into Ukraine due to the open spaces behind the defensive line.
During a visit to Kyiv, US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said that the Trump administration is ready to guarantee security along the eastern front line and create “the most high-tech demilitarized zone” in the world.
“We will provide the strongest line in the world,” said Dan Driscoll.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concern that the creation of a demilitarized zone would lead to a freeze in the conflict.
“A short pause will give Russia time to regroup before a new offensive,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Recall that US President’s special envoy Steve Witkoff allegedly convinced Ukrainian representatives to ask the United States for zero tariffs in exchange for Tomahawk missiles . According to sources, this proposal was made in October, when the White House was considering the possibility of transferring these missiles to Ukraine.
As reported by “Pryamy”, in October 2025, US Special Representative Steve Witkoff held talks with Russian officials , during which he discussed how to promote a peace initiative for President Donald Trump. Information about the content of the conversation caused a sharp reaction in the American political environment and Congress.
During a conversation with Putin’s foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, Witkoff suggested creating a “20-point peace plan similar to the one in Gaza.” He also suggested arranging a phone call between Trump and Putin before Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.
The released recordings of Trump’s special representative, Stephen Witkoff, and Russian officialshave sparked a flurry of criticism in Western media . Journalists call the situation shocking and draw attention to Witkoff’s blatant misunderstanding of the Kremlin’s goals.
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