Moscow is demanding that all countries recognize Donbas as Russian as part of a peace agreement

Russia has put forward a new condition for concluding a peace agreement with Ukraine.

Russian media report this, citing a Western source in Abu Dhabi. According to that source, Moscow is demanding that as part of any peace deal Ukraine not only surrender the entire Donbas, but that it also be recognized as Russian by “all countries.”

“For the Russian side, this aspect of recognition of Donbas by all countries is seen as very important,” the source said.

It is not specified what is meant by “all countries”—whether this refers only to the states currently involved in the talks (the United States and Ukraine), or whether Russia is demanding broader international recognition, potentially at the UN level.

The same source also told journalists that security guarantees for Ukraine could include not the deployment of peacekeepers, but a rapid-response multinational force.

Earlier, the Financial Times wrote about a similar guarantees concept: in the event of a new Russian invasion, the Ukrainian Armed Forces would fight first, then a “coalition of the willing” would join in, and after that the United States. This framework has not been officially confirmed. 

Meanwhile, Russian media, citing sources, say official statements are expected after today’s talks between the Ukrainian, U.S., and Russian delegations in Abu Dhabi. Yesterday there were no official statements, apart from comments by Ukraine’s NSDC secretary Rustem Umerov that the talks were substantive and productive, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s remarks that territorial issues and security guarantees remain the most difficult parts of the negotiations. 

Earlier media reports about a U.S. peace plan mentioned possible U.S. recognition of Russian jurisdiction over seized territories.