Trump Suggests Donbas Split to End Ukraine War/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump has proposed dividing Ukraine’s Donbas region, effectively leaving much of it under Russian control, to stop the war. His comments come amid intensified Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian energy facilities. Trump hinted that Ukraine may need to give up territory for peace negotiations to begin.
Donbas Division Proposal Quick Looks
- Trump says Ukraine’s Donbas region should remain “cut up” as it is now
- Suggests ceasefire along current frontlines; negotiate land divisions later
- Ukraine increases drone strikes on major Russian energy infrastructure
- Ukrainian forces target Orenburg gas plant and Novokuibyshevsk refinery
- Russia reportedly using new guided bombs with extended strike range
- Civilian areas, coal mines, and apartment buildings among latest targets
- No commitment from Trump to arm Ukraine with long-range missiles
- Trump expected to meet with Putin in Budapest in the coming weeks
Deep Look: Trump Suggests Partitioning Donbas for Ukraine-Russia Peace
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE — President Donald Trump made headlines again by stating that Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region may need to be divided permanently, leaving most of the territory in Russian hands to halt the ongoing conflict. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump remarked that the war, now in its fourth year, could end if both sides accepted the current frontlines.
“Let it be cut the way it is,” Trump told reporters, implying the contested region should remain under its present de facto divisions. “It’s cut up right now,” he said, suggesting both nations could “negotiate something later on down the line.” His primary message: stop the fighting now, then discuss permanent resolutions later. “Stop killing people,” Trump emphasized.
The comments follow intensified Ukrainian drone attacks on key Russian energy infrastructure. On Sunday, drones reportedly struck the Orenburg gas processing plant in southern Russia—a major facility operated by state-owned Gazprom. The plant processes both Russian and Kazakh gas and has an annual capacity of 45 billion cubic meters. Ukrainian forces targeted one of its purification units, igniting a large-scale fire and suspending operations, according to Gazprom and Kazakh officials.
This attack marks part of a broader Ukrainian strategy: disrupt Russian fuel supplies that directly support military operations. Kyiv’s armed forces have increasingly aimed at Russian oil and gas facilities, claiming they fund and fuel the Kremlin’s war machinery.
Trump’s remarks also coincided with a Fox News interview where he stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not stop the war without retaining some Ukrainian territory.
“He’s going to take something,” Trump said. “He’s won certain property.” In his view, expecting Russia to retreat entirely is unrealistic: “We’re the only nation that goes in, wins a war and then leaves,” he added.
Although the interview aired Sunday, it was recorded before Trump’s meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a phone call with Putin. During his flight from Florida to Washington later Sunday, Trump reiterated that the most likely peace scenario involves a freeze at the current battle lines. “There are so many different permutations,” he said, referring to the complexities of territorial negotiation.
Trump has recently pivoted on Ukraine policy. Weeks ago, he was increasingly critical of Putin and signaled openness to supporting Ukraine’s military push. However, his latest tone suggests a more transactional view: ending the war may require territorial concessions. Despite pressure, he declined to supply Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles—long-range weapons that could reach targets deep within Russia, including Moscow.
Russia’s Escalating Bomb Technology
While Ukraine expands its drone campaign, Russia is adapting its weapons to strike deeper into Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian prosecutors said Russia used a new type of aerial bomb, the UMPB-5R, capable of traveling up to 130 kilometers (80 miles). It was reportedly used to attack Lozova, a city roughly 93 miles south of Kharkiv, marking its first known use in this war.
In the Dnipropetrovsk region, Russian drones injured at least 11 civilians in the Shakhtarske area, damaging residential buildings and a store. Another Russian missile struck a coal mine, but all 192 workers were safely evacuated.
Ukraine also claimed responsibility for another drone strike—this time on the Novokuibyshevsk oil refinery in the Samara region. This facility, operated by Rosneft, processes nearly 5 million tons of crude annually and produces over 20 types of oil products. Ukrainian military officials say the attack sparked a blaze and damaged core refining units, although Russian authorities have not confirmed the extent of the damage.
Drone Warfare Intensifies
Over the weekend, both nations ramped up drone warfare. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it intercepted 45 Ukrainian drones, including 12 over Samara and 11 over Saratov. Conversely, Ukraine reported that Russia launched 62 drones overnight, with 40 either shot down or diverted using electronic warfare.
With military escalation on both sides and diplomacy stalled, Trump’s comments about dividing Donbas may stir international debate. While his proposal echoes earlier calls for ceasefire zones, critics argue that legitimizing Russian territorial gains could embolden further aggression. As Trump plans to meet with Putin in Budapest soon, global attention will be on whether his words shape the next phase of this long-running war.
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