Surrendering a key eastern region would be difficult for Ukraine

Over three-quarters of Ukrainians oppose trading land for 'vague' promise of peace

- Marc Santora

KYIV - After US President Donald Trump announced that he would meet President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Aug 15, the American leader suggested that the end of the war between Russia and Ukraine would involve "some swapping of territories".

It is not clear what, if any, occupied territory Russia would be prepared to give up as part of a swap.

But Russia wants Ukraine to unilaterally withdraw from the entire eastern region known as the Donbas, according to European officials who have spoken with Trump administration officials about their discussions with Mr Putin.

Ukrainian officials say they will not hand over land for a vague promise of peace that they would not trust Russia to abide by. That stance reflects not just fundamental principles of territorial sovereignty, but also military, humanitarian and political considerations that make a surrender of the Donbas hard to imagine for Ukrainians.

Here is a look at the Donbas, whose industrial cities have stood as a shield protecting Ukraine, one that thousands of Ukrainians have

Pay a high price for every kilometer they moved forward. The two cities are the only major ones that the Russians have taken since the first year of the war.

The cities still under Ukrainian control are connected by one road running north to south, forming a defensive line that prevents Russian forces from sweeping across the country.