Trump Suggests Ukraine's Donbas Region Be Divided to End Conflict

President Donald Trump has proposed that Ukraine's Donbas region be divided, with the majority remaining under Russian control, as a means to end the protracted conflict. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump stated, "Let it be cut the way it is. It's cut up right now," suggesting that both parties should "stop at the battle line—go home, stop fighting, stop killing people."

This statement follows Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia's Orenburg gas processing plant, which caused a fire and halted gas intake from Kazakhstan. The Orenburg facility, operated by Gazprom, is among the world's largest, with an annual capacity of 45 billion cubic meters. Regional Governor Yevgeny Solntsev reported damage to a workshop at the plant due to the strikes.

In a recent Fox News interview, Trump acknowledged that Russian President Vladimir Putin would likely demand territorial concessions, remarking, "Well, he's going to take something." He added, "They fought and he has a lot of property. He's won certain property." Despite meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump did not commit to providing long-range Tomahawk missiles, which Ukraine has sought to enhance its defense capabilities.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities claim that Russia is modifying aerial-guided bombs to target civilians deeper within Ukraine. In Kharkiv, officials reported that Russia used a new rocket-powered aerial bomb, the UMPB-5R, capable of traveling up to 130 kilometers, in an attack on the city of Lozava. Additionally, Russian strikes in the Dnipropetrovsk region injured at least 11 people and damaged multiple buildings.

Ukraine's General Staff also reported a drone strike on Russia's Novokuibyshevsk oil refinery in the Samara region, causing a fire and damaging refining units. Russian authorities have not confirmed this claim. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that its air defense forces shot down 45 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 12 over the Samara region. Conversely, Ukraine's air force reported that Russia launched 62 drones into Ukrainian territory, with 40 being shot down or diverted due to electronic jamming.