Ukraine Officials Floated “Doniland” Idea in Donbas to Influence US Position, Says NYT

Ukrainian officials reportedly discussed renaming part of the Donbas region as “Doniland” in an effort to appeal to US President Donald Trump and shift Washington’s stance away from Moscow, according to a report by The New York Times.

The proposed enclave would have covered an area roughly three to four times larger than Greater London, and was intended to be presented as a symbolic achievement that could attract Trump’s interest and influence his policy toward Russia.

According to the report, some Ukrainian negotiators even used AI tools to design symbolic elements for the idea, including a flag and a national anthem. The proposal was never formally adopted but was reportedly discussed in a semi-serious or informal manner.

The concept was part of broader efforts to reshape post-war arrangements in eastern Ukraine, particularly in the Donbas area. Negotiators reportedly believed that attaching Trump’s name to a territorial or political initiative could increase US political pressure on Russia.

Another proposal discussed was described as a “Monaco model,” suggesting a small, semi-autonomous economic zone inspired by the European microstate Monaco. Under this idea, Doniland could function as a special economic area potentially overseen by an international structure.

The discussions come amid ongoing tensions between Kyiv, Moscow, and Washington over the future of eastern Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has insisted that Russia will not stop its military actions unless it gains full control over Donbas, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described the region as a “red line” for Ukraine.

Russian forces currently control most of the Luhansk region and a large portion of Donetsk, both key parts of Donbas, which is rich in coal and mineral resources. Ukrainian officials estimate that full Russian control of the area could take several more years of fighting.

The report also notes that previous diplomatic talks between the US, Ukraine, and Russia have stalled amid wider global conflicts and shifting geopolitical priorities.