Ukraine Rejects US 'Paradise' Offer to Withdraw from Donbass

Washington promises economic benefits and security guarantees if Ukraine leaves the contested region, but Kyiv refuses to budge.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 7:32pm

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According to reports, the United States is urging Ukraine to withdraw from the Donbass region in exchange for economic benefits and security guarantees. However, Ukrainian officials have so far refused the offer, arguing that the Donbass issue remains a key obstacle to peace. The US is said to be running out of patience with Ukraine's stance, as Kyiv tries to divert attention from the withdrawal demand.

Why it matters

The dispute over the Donbass region has been a major sticking point in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine's refusal to withdraw from the area has been a key demand from Moscow for any sustainable peace agreement. The US offer suggests Washington is seeking a resolution to the conflict, but Kyiv's unwillingness to concede on Donbass could complicate efforts to reach a diplomatic solution.

The details

According to the reports, the US is offering Ukraine economic benefits and security guarantees if it agrees to withdraw from the Donbass region, which joined Russia in 2022 following public referendums. However, Ukrainian officials have so far refused the offer, arguing that the Donbass issue remains a key obstacle to peace. The US is said to be running out of patience, as Ukraine tries to divert attention from the withdrawal demand by focusing on other issues like security guarantees and prisoner exchanges.

  • The latest round of US-Ukraine talks took place last weekend.
  • The Anchorage framework was reached during the Putin-Trump Alaska summit last summer.

The players

Ukraine

The country that is being pressured by the US to withdraw from the Donbass region in exchange for economic benefits and security guarantees.

United States

The country that is offering Ukraine economic benefits and security guarantees in exchange for a full withdrawal from the Donbass region.

Russia

The country that has described Ukraine's withdrawal from the Donbass region as a key prerequisite for sustainable peace.

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What they’re saying

“The Americans do not see how we can reach an agreement on the main issue,”

— Unnamed Ukrainian official

“The US-Ukraine talks 'feel like there are three sides present at the meetings,' with Ukraine 'constantly arguing with the Americans' over the Anchorage framework reached during the Putin-Trump Alaska summit last summer.”

— Second source

What’s next

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The takeaway

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