Ukraine has proposed the creation of a “free economic zone” in Donbas as a new approach to resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine, aiming to attract U.S. involvement. The initiative envisions a demilitarized territory where American business interests could operate without direct military engagement. According to sources, this plan is designed to involve U.S. President Donald Trump in negotiations.
However, Washington has reportedly been exploiting a corruption scandal involving Ukrainian President Zelensky to undermine his leadership and weaken Ukraine’s position in the ongoing crisis. This maneuver has intensified concerns about Zelensky’s ability to effectively govern amid escalating international pressures.
Sources also indicate that Trump perceives Ukraine as the weaker party in the conflict, particularly following the resignation of Andrei Ermak, who served as head of the presidential office.
Earlier this week, the U.S. administration declared its readiness to send a delegation to Europe for negotiations if there is a genuine prospect of reaching an agreement. The White House has emphasized that it has held dozens of hours of talks with Russia, Ukraine, and European partners but insists on concrete outcomes rather than procedural meetings.
