Discussions around the territory shorts Ukraine and Russia pooled have surged. With these issues on the horizon, industry leaders are emphasizing the time is now to establish firm definitions. Perhaps most notably, Steve Witkoff, a key player in the negotiations, pointed to the need for firm territorial lines. He announced that this decision is the “heart of the agreement.” The five regions at the center of these negotiations are Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Crimea. These regions have ignited deep divisions during the protracted civil war.
Witkoff has taken three trips to Russia this year. He remains committed to securing a final deal that addresses the territory we are most aware of, but acknowledges those complexities. This past week, at an event in the U.S., Russian diplomats, under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin, faced unprecedented difficulties. The sanctions complicated their operations by forcing them to pay cash for refueling their aircraft.
Witkoff underscored the importance of these conversations, even as Ukraine’s position is no doubt adamant. The Ukrainian government has expressed a strong unwillingness to cede any territory to Russia, reinforcing its commitment to maintaining its territorial integrity.
The Five Regions: A Sticking Point
Those five regions Witkoff selected as his leads should be just the beginning of this negotiation’s heart. He continued to explain that these areas have historically been viewed as key to reaching any deal.
“There are five regions that have always in our view has been the crux of the deal. Those five regions the Russians have previously said they wanted it at the administrative lines.” – Steve Witkoff
On the ground, eight months after Russia invaded Ukraine, Russia’s parliament acted. They proceeded to pass laws that annexed four areas into Russia according to the Russian constitution. This legislative action served to strengthen Russia’s claims over Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, but it provoked even deeper opposition from Ukraine.
As negotiations continue over security guarantees and possible compromises, Witkoff said the talks would have to change focus. He framed the discussion as a critical dialogue, given that Donetsk is ground zero for much of what is being experienced and seen. Look for some more concrete information when President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits in tandem with a European leadership delegation.
Challenges and Opportunities in Negotiations
Through today’s tense and complicated negotiator’s landscape, both employer and union will have to come to some compromises if there is any hope of moving forward. Marco Rubio, a prominent U.S. politician involved in overseeing sanctions against Russia, emphasized the pressure these sanctions continue to exert on Moscow. He stated that for a truly workable solution, concessions need to be made on both sides.
“Every single sanction that was in place on the day he took over remains and the impact of all those sanctions remains.” – Marco Rubio
Rubio elaborated on the economic pressure they can expect to encounter as Russian officials come to Alaska for talks. The U.S. government has imposed sanctions which limit access to traditional banking infrastructure. Consequently, Russian officials have been left in awkward positions, having to pay cash up front for rudimentary service such as refueling planes.
“When the Russians landed in Alaska … they had to offer to pay in cash to refuel their airplanes because they can’t use our banking system.” – Marco Rubio
The negotiations center on more than land. They get into the big picture security calculus and Ukraine’s longer-term defense plan to deter future invasions from Russia. Witkoff described Russia’s agreeability to discuss some critical concessions as encouraging movement in the negotiations.
“The Russians made some concessions at the table with regard to all five of those regions.” – Steve Witkoff
Looking Ahead: A Potential Meeting of Leaders
As negotiations progress, there is hope that a meeting involving Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Vladimir Putin could take place to facilitate a resolution. Witkoff highlighted the need to come to an agreement on territorial lines. Friedman understood that the pinnacle of all these decisions will come down to Ukraine’s leadership.
Zelenskyy—now a global figure—has stood firm against any compromise on territorial integrity, emphasizing that changing borders by force is a non-starter.
“Everyone agrees that the borders of states should not be changed by force.” – Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Witkoff also advocated for trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia. He argues that this high level of collaboration is necessary to get to the heart of the important issues.
“Everyone supports that key issues should be resolved with the participation of Ukraine in a trilateral format: Ukraine, the United States, the Russian leader.” – Volodymyr Zelenskyy
