During informal negotiations on a possible settlement of the war, Ukrainian representatives allegedly proposed naming the part of Donbas that Russia continues to attack "Donnyland" – combining the words Donbas and Donald. The New York Times writes about this, as reported by UNN.
Details
According to the publication, the name was mentioned partly in jest as an attempt to persuade the administration of US President Donald Trump to take a tougher stance on Moscow's territorial claims.
This refers to a territory approximately 80 by 65 kilometers, which remains under Ukraine's control and is one of the key contentious issues in the negotiations. According to the Ukrainian side's estimates, about 190,000 people live there, although NYT interlocutors cite lower figures.
The article notes that other options for the future status of the territory were also discussed – including a demilitarized zone, a free economic zone, or a model of a partially autonomous entity without full control by either side. One of the working options was allegedly the so-called "Monaco model."
According to the newspaper, Russia demanded full legal control over Donbas, while Kyiv did not agree to the transfer of territories. Because of this, negotiations on the territorial issue effectively reached a stalemate.
At the same time, there is no official confirmation from the Ukrainian authorities regarding the existence of the "Donnyland" proposal. The New York Times notes that the name did not appear in official documents and was used only in discussions.
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