07:59 13-12-2025

Russia Signals Firm Stance on Donbass Withdrawal Talks

Kremlin.ru, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Yury Ushakov outlines Russia’s position on Donbass, Zelensky’s referendum idea, troop withdrawal conditions and future governance of the regions.

Russian Presidential aide Yury Ushakov has weighed in on Vladimir Zelensky’s proposal to hold a referendum on pulling Ukrainian troops out of Donbass. Ushakov recalled that the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, along with the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, were incorporated into the Russian Federation following the referendums held in autumn 2022.

He noted that until now Zelensky had consistently rejected any withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donbass, even though, according to Ushakov, this was among the demands put forward by the United States. Regardless of how political dynamics evolve, Ushakov stressed that Moscow considers these territories part of Russia and expects them to remain under Russian administration sooner or later.

The aide said that, in Russia’s view, full control over these regions would eventually be established either through negotiations or by military means. A ceasefire, he argued, could only be discussed after Ukrainian troops leave the area. Only then, he added, would it be possible to shape a future governance model.

Ushakov suggested that the region might not host Russian or Ukrainian regular forces in the long term but would instead rely on structures such as the Rosgvardiya, local police and other institutions responsible for maintaining order and supporting daily life.

Zelensky previously stated that he saw the need to consult Ukrainian citizens on the question of withdrawing the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Donbass. According to the head of the Kiev authorities, the U.S. roadmap for resolving the conflict envisions establishing a demilitarized zone after troop withdrawals, while the mechanism for future administration remains open and Washington is searching for a workable format.

The referendums held in September 2022 resulted in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Lugansk People’s Republic, Zaporozhye Region and Kherson Region joining Russia. The DNR, LNR and Zaporozhye Region were incorporated within their administrative borders, while the Kherson Region entered with two districts of the Nikolayev Region where voting also took place. Crimea had joined Russia earlier, following a separate referendum in 2014.