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“Security in exchange for Donbas.” Zelensky denounces: «It’s an overreach»
UKRAINE. The war in Ukraine is entering an increasingly tense diplomatic phase, with a possible peace negotiation that risks becoming a battleground among allies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that the United States would be conditioning any security guarantees on the cession of the entire Donbas region to Russia. A condition that Kiev considers unacceptable.
According to Zelensky, the American strategy also reflects the changed international landscape: Washington’s focus, under Donald Trump’s leadership, is increasingly centered on the Middle East and the confrontation with Iran. In this context, Ukraine risks becoming a secondary priority. “I wish the United States understood that the east of our country is an integral part of our security guarantees,” said the Ukrainian President, denouncing growing pressure on Kiev to quickly reach an agreement.
Intelligence and blackmail allegations
On the geopolitical front, Zelensky openly accuses Moscow of attempting a strategic blackmail. Russia, he claims, has proposed to the United States to halt the sharing of military information with Iran in exchange for stopping the flow of intelligence to Kiev. A move that, if confirmed, would highlight the increasingly global nature of the conflict.
The accusations fit into an already complex picture, where alliances intertwine and redefine themselves well beyond the Ukrainian theater.
Meanwhile, the conflict continues with intensity on both fronts. Ukrainian drone attacks have targeted Russian energy infrastructure, including an industrial area in the Leningrad region, near one of the country’s main refineries. According to Russian sources, over twenty drones have been shot down.
The Ukrainian operations are said to have already significantly impacted Russian energy capacity: according to some estimates, up to 40% of oil export capacity may have been temporarily compromised due to attacks, sabotage, and seizures of oil tankers.
At the same time, Russia continues to strike Ukrainian territory. In the Kharkiv region, just a few kilometers from the border, missile raids and drone attacks have caused civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure. The Danube port of Izmail, a strategic hub for Ukrainian exports, has also been hit.
The conflict expands: Europe, Africa, and Asia involved
The war is increasingly taking on a global dimension. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has authorized more aggressive operations against the so-called Russian “shadow fleet,” used to circumvent oil sanctions. This decision is also linked to the rise in energy prices, fueled by tensions in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, new elements are emerging regarding international involvement: Zimbabwe has reported the death of 15 of its citizens enlisted to fight alongside Russia, openly speaking of deceptive recruitment and human trafficking.
On the diplomatic front, the axis between Moscow and allied regimes is also strengthening. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was received in Pyongyang by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, in a visit that signals a consolidation of relations between countries hostile to the West.
After more than four years since the Russian invasion of 2022, the conflict seems far from a simple solution. The American proposal to link security and territorial concessions creates a delicate rift between Kiev and its main ally.
On the ground, the war continues to rage with targeted attacks and civilian casualties. On the international stage, it expands and intertwines with other global crises.
The increasingly concrete risk is that the future of Ukraine will be decided not only on the battlefield but also in the complex geopolitical balances between world powers.
