The territorial disputes between Russia and Ukraine amount to approximately 17-18 percent of the territory of the Donetsk region that Moscow does not yet control. This was stated on Sunday, April 12, by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, commenting on the words of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance about 'a few square kilometers' of territorial dispute.
According to data provided by Russian President Vladimir Putin in March, about 15-17 percent of the territory of the self-proclaimed 'Donetsk People's Republic' remained under Kyiv's control, compared to approximately 25 percent about six months earlier.
In August 2025, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov reported that 79 percent of the territory of the unrecognized DPR had come under the control of Russian troops. In March of the same year, Putin spoke of 70 percent.
Russia's Conditions
Russia has repeatedly stated its readiness for a peaceful settlement, linking it to the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the entire territory of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions, which Moscow considers its territory following the 'referendums' of 2022. Achieving sustainable peace in Ukraine, according to Peskov, will be possible after ensuring Russia's interests and achieving the set goals.
"As long as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 'cannot muster the courage and take on this responsibility,' the war of the Russian Federation against the neighboring country 'will continue,' he emphasized.
Zelensky had previously stated that he considers it impossible to discuss territorial concessions. According to him, there can be 'no question' of transferring Donbas to Russia due to strategic risks for Ukraine.
Budanov: The War Will End Soon
At the same time, the head of the Ukrainian president's office, Kyrylo Budanov, stated in an interview with Bloomberg published on April 10 that both sides of the conflict want its conclusion. "They all understand that the war must end. That is why they are negotiating. I don't think it will take much time," he said.
According to Budanov, the parties are gradually moving away from 'maximalist' positions and getting closer in search of a compromise. However, he refused to specify what a mutually acceptable solution regarding Donbas might be. As one of the factors pushing Moscow towards peace, Budanov mentioned the financial costs of the war: according to him, Russia is financing military operations from its own funds, and the discussion is already about 'trillions,' writes 'Deutsche Welle'.
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