Putin Demands More Ukrainian Territory Beyond Donbas for Ceasefire

Russian President Vladimir Putin is demanding Ukraine cede unoccupied parts of Donbas as a precondition for a ceasefire, seeking to exploit Donald Trump's push for a swift end to the war. Putin expects further territorial concessions in a final agreement involving NATO security guarantees. Talks in Abu Dhabi next week are unlikely to yield a truce, as Putin aims to regain advantage through massive winter bombing of Ukrainian infrastructure. Trump's envoy Jared Kushner called Washington's discussions with Ukraine, NATO, and European partners "productive and substantive." European countries oppose using peace talks to reshape continental security architecture, fearing Moscow will restore its sphere of influence and undermine NATO's eastern flank. Officials worry the Trump administration may strike a deal with Russia at Europe's expense.