US proposes redrawing Donbas borders to break Ukraine-Russia peace deadlock

US officials have proposed redrawing Donbas borders eastward so Ukraine retains Kramatorsk and Sloviansk while Russia claims control of the region, according to The Economist. The proposal aims to break the deadlock in Abu Dhabi peace talks. Russian and Ukrainian delegates have shown private flexibility on the territorial issue, though neither side has publicly confirmed the plan. Security guarantees remain contentious, with Moscow seeking broader European security architecture while Washington pushes NATO-style commitments for Ukraine. No ceasefire is expected from the talks, as Russia rejects pauses in attacks on energy infrastructure. A large prisoner exchange is anticipated as a tangible outcome of the negotiations.