Russian President Vladimir Putin wants any settlement to end the war to include giving Russia full control of the Donbas

Analyzing statements by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Aug. 19, ISW noted his claim that the Kremlin “never talked about the need to seize any territories,” including Crimea or Donbas. Lavrov reiterated false narratives about “protecting” Ukrainians from an “illegitimate” government in Kyiv and defending the “rights of Russian-speakers.

Ukraine’s Donbas region, consisting of Donetsk and Luhansk, is at the heart of Moscow’s goals. An industrial powerhouse in the Soviet era, it also has rich farmland, important rivers and a coastline on the Sea of Azov.

NATO war jets have been forced to scramble after Vladimir Putin unleashed a terrifying drone strike on Odesa. It comes as hopes of ending the gruelling conflict continue to falter after

Donald Trump is reportedly planning to urge Ukraine to surrender the Donetsk and Luhansk regions as part of negotiations over an end to the war.

The White House says that Vladimir Putin told President Trump that he would meet with the man whose country Russia invaded, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It comes as Trump is ruling out sending U.

PUTIN laid his cards on the table when he declared that he wants the whole of Ukraine’s Donbas region in exchange for peace. The eastern zone, home to Ukraine’s “fortress