The Kremlin is pressing Kiev to withdraw troops from Donbas. Putin and Trump are due to talk on the phone again

While Washington talks of an imminent deal, the Kremlin hardens its stance. Moscow is demanding the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donbas and warning of the loss of more territory, while negotiations are accompanied by continued attacks.

Wladimir Putin. Foto: Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Reuters

Vladimir Putin. Photo: Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Reuters

The Kremlin said on Monday that Ukraine must withdraw its troops from the parts of the Donbas it still controls if it wants to reach a peace deal with Russia. Otherwise, Kiev risks losing more territory, according to Moscow. The statement came as another phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump is expected.

"We are talking about the withdrawal of the regime's armed forces from Donbas," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Asked whether the Russian demands also applied to the Zaporizhzhya and Kherson regions, he declined to answer, saying he would "not discuss the details."

Indeed, Russia considers Donbas, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson to be its territories, although most countries continue to recognise them as part of Ukraine. According to Russian estimates, Moscow currently controls about a fifth of Ukrainian territory - including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014, as well as about 90 percent of the Donbas and most of Zaporizhzhya and Kherson.

Trump sees progress and the Kremlin upping the pressure

Peskov confirmed that Putin and Trump had spoken on Sunday, before Trump's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Florida. Another phone call between the two leaders is expected to take place "very soon."

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