According to information released from the summit in Alaska, Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a proposal to freeze the conflict in Ukraine. In exchange for a cessation of hostilities along the current front line, Moscow wants to gain control over the rest of the Donetsk region. This proposal, if confirmed, represents a key moment in the development of the ongoing war.
Currently, Russia controls approximately 70% of the territory of this region, including its administrative center, the city of Donetsk. Over the last decade, Donetsk and the neighboring Luhansk region have been at the epicenter of a protracted and bloody conflict. These two territories have become the "bleeding heart" of the war, causing huge human and material casualties.
Analysts point out that gaining full control of the Donetsk region would have strategic significance for Russia. This move would cement Moscow's claims to the territory, even though they are not recognized by the international community. Furthermore, achieving this goal would allow Russia to avoid additional, heavy military losses, which are characteristic of intense combat operations. The proposal looks like an attempt to achieve an important victory on the battlefield without paying its full price in manpower and equipment.
For Ukraine, however, the potential cession of the western part of the Donetsk region would be an extremely heavy defeat. This would not only mean the loss of a significant amount of land, but would also create the prospect of a new wave of refugees. The loss of this territory would also remove an important defensive wall, which currently serves as protection against any future Russian offensive. That is why the importance of this region for each of the parties is enormous and it becomes clear why territorial control over it is so contested.