As peace talks between the U.S. and Russia continue, reports indicate that Moscow is seeking control over several major Ukrainian cities as part of an agreement to end the war.
The proposed deal, currently being negotiated with U.S. President Donald Trump, has sparked concerns over Ukraine’s sovereignty and the potential for further humanitarian crises.
Russia’s Demands in Peace Talks
According to a report by Digi24, Russia is pushing for control over several large Ukrainian cities, including Kherson, Kramatorsk, and Zaporizhzhia—territories its military has failed to capture through direct combat.
These demands align with Moscow’s pre-war conditions from 2021, which included Ukraine renouncing its NATO ambitions and ceding occupied regions such as Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.
While Trump has stated that both sides must make concessions for peace, Kyiv has firmly rejected any agreement involving territorial losses.
Ukrainian officials argue that giving up these cities would weaken the country’s sovereignty and embolden further Russian aggression.
Humanitarian and Security Concerns
Experts warn that Russian control over additional Ukrainian cities would worsen the humanitarian crisis. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has cautioned that Moscow would likely employ the same oppressive tactics—forced displacement and assimilation—already used in occupied territories since 2022.
Serhii Kuzan, head of the Ukrainian Center for Security and Cooperation, has stated that Russia’s peace terms could be a stepping stone for further territorial expansion.
Similarly, Wayne Jordash, president of the Global Rights Compliance foundation, warned that if Moscow secures more land and Ukraine loses international support, “more Ukrainian men, women, and children will undoubtedly be killed.”
A Deal Nearing Completion?
Despite these concerns, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has stated that Trump is confident a peace deal could be finalized within days.
However, with Ukraine rejecting territorial concessions and Russia insisting on them, the outcome remains highly uncertain.
As negotiations unfold, the long-term consequences of any agreement could reshape European security for years to come.
