Kremlin Demands Ukrainian Withdrawal from Donbas as Condition for Peace Progress

Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Vladimir Putin, asserted on Sunday, May 10, that any settlement regarding the war in Ukraine will “stand still” unless Kyiv withdraws its military from the Donbas. Despite this rigid ultimatum, Ushakov expressed confidence that the US has not abandoned the diplomatic track, predicting that President Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, will soon return to Moscow for further talks. Make us preferred on Google Flip Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attend a meeting of Russian President with President of Republika Srpska and Bosnian Serb leader at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 9, 2026. (Photo by MAXIM SHIPENKOV / POOL / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google The Kremlin has signaled that diplomatic efforts to end the war will face a continued deadlock unless Ukraine agrees to a total military withdrawal from the Donbas region. Speaking to Russian state media, Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov emphasized that Russia’s stance on territorial control remains unchanged. “A settlement in Ukraine without the withdrawal of the AFU from Donbas will stand still even after 10 rounds of negotiations,” Ushakov stated, adding that he believes Kyiv will eventually be forced to “realize” this necessity. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . Despite the harsh rhetoric regarding territorial concessions, the Kremlin appears to remain open to the diplomatic channel established by the Trump administration. Ushakov specifically mentioned Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, stating he is “convinced” they will visit Moscow again to continue the dialogue. The Kremlin aide noted that Russia does not believe the United States has decided to leave the “Ukrainian issue” unresolved, despite shifting focus toward Middle Eastern tensions in recent weeks. The demand for a withdrawal from Donbas remains one of the most contentious “sticking points” in the ongoing peace process. Current discussions between Ukrainian lead negotiator Rustem Umerov and US officials have focused on a 20-point framework, but the issues of territorial sovereignty and the status of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant continue to hinder a definitive breakthrough. Other Topics of Interest Fico Reveals Putin’s Response to Zelensky’s Offer for Peace Talks Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, returning from Victory Day commemorations in Moscow, stated that Vladimir Putin expects President Volodymyr Zelensky to initiate direct contact via telephone if he is interested in negotiations. Fico relayed a message from a recent meeting in Armenia where Zelensky expressed readiness to meet the Russian leader in any format. Trump’s peace push Ushakov’s comments follow President Donald Trump’s recent declaration that he is prepared to send a high-level US delegation directly to Moscow to end the “madness” of the conflict. Trump has cited staggering monthly casualty figures – estimated at 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers – as the primary humanitarian driver for a swift resolution. While the Kremlin demands a phone call from President Zelensky to initiate direct talks , and Slovak PM Robert Fico continues to act as a regional intermediary, the insistence on a Donbas withdrawal suggests that the road to a formal agreement remains fraught with fundamental disagreements. The current three-day ceasefire, intended to facilitate a 2,000-person prisoner exchange, is set to expire on May 11, leaving a narrow window for these diplomatic “signals” to translate into a lasting truce. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.