The official noted that the United States believes that Moscow insists on the transfer of these territories and that Washington "is exploring different options to achieve this." He also emphasized that the American side believes that "Ukraine should leave Donbas... one way or another."
On the other hand, Kyiv asserts that any peace process is only possible with a freeze of the current front line.
On December 8, President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters that Ukraine "has neither the legal nor the moral right" to give its territories to Russia. He added that the U.S. "is working on finding a compromise that will be acceptable to both sides."
According to Reuters, Russia controls 19.2% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, the entire Luhansk region, most of Donetsk, as well as significant parts of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and other regions.
On December 7, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed "frustration" that Zelensky has not yet considered the latest proposal from the American side, adding that, in his opinion, Moscow agrees with the proposed plan, although it "would prefer to take the whole country."
In a comment to Politico, the European official emphasized that it is currently important what position the U.S. will take — whether they will act as a mediator or side with Russia. He also reminded that Kyiv is still waiting for clarity regarding the security guarantees proposed by Washington for Ukraine.
