Alpha News

Kremlin Insists: Give us the entire Donbas to agree

Published January 26, 2026, 09:23

The Kremlin stated today that the territorial issue remains fundamental for Russia to reach an agreement to end the war in Ukraine, following trilateral talks held over the weekend in Abu Dhabi. President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated that Russia will take control of the entire Ukrainian region of Donbas – currently controlled by Moscow’s forces by 90% – if Kyiv does not agree to hand it over as part of a peace deal. The so-called 'Anchorage formula' provides for the handover of Donbas to Russia and the stabilization of the front line in other areas as a condition for peace. Kyiv has repeatedly stated that it will not gift territories to Russia that Moscow has failed to capture on the battlefield. Despite the disagreements, Moscow expressed positive comments about the recent talks in Abu Dhabi.