U.S. Weighs Redrawing Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk Boundaries to Break Deadlock in Russia Peace Talks

American negotiators have floated a proposal to redraw Ukraine’s administrative boundaries, potentially allowing Russia to declare full control over Donetsk and Luhansk without forcing Kyiv to surrender the remaining cities it holds, according to The Economist.

The unusual compromise, described by people involved in the negotiations as a “cartographic fudge,” would alter the administrative definition of the two eastern regions rather than require Ukraine to withdraw from territory still under its control.

The idea could offer Russian President Vladimir Putin a way to declare that Moscow had achieved its territorial objectives while allowing Ukraine to retain its remaining strongholds. However, there is no indication that either government has accepted the arrangement.

The proposal is among several ideas Washington has explored to encourage Moscow to reach a settlement. Another would allow Russia to return to European energy markets, a move opposed by Ukraine and its European partners.

Security guarantees remain a major obstacle. American negotiators believe Putin might accept commitments modeled on NATO’s Articles 4 or 5, involving consultations in the event of threats or military assistance if Ukraine is attacked. Kyiv, however, questions whether Washington would honor such commitments.

Russia continues to oppose the deployment of multinational security forces in Ukraine and demands restrictions on Kyiv’s military capabilities.

The discussions coincide with renewed U.S.-mediated peace talks in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11. Moscow continues to demand control over the entire Donbas region, while Ukraine rejects surrendering territory still defended by its forces.