Related Article: How rich is Donbas? The Ukrainian coal and mineral hub that Putin wants to end the war - economictimes.indiatimes.com - Saturday, August 16, 2025, 8:28:53 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Target: President Joe Biden, U.S. Congress, European Union leaders, United Nations Secretary-General, and world governments
Goal: Stop any international deals that would force Ukraine to withdraw from Donbas, and demand global support for Ukraine’s right to self-determination and control over its resources.
The Donbas region, encompassing Donetsk and Luhansk, is not only the industrial powerhouse of Ukraine but also home to vast reserves of coal, critical minerals, and essential water resources. Recent reports indicate that international negotiations, including discussions between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, have considered proposals to freeze frontlines in exchange for Ukraine abandoning Donbas to Russian occupation.
This is unacceptable. Surrendering Donbas would hand over more than half of Ukraine’s coal reserves, critical minerals vital for green technologies, and key agricultural resources to Moscow. It would also undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and set a dangerous precedent of rewarding military aggression with economic and territorial gains.
Since 2014, Russia has steadily occupied and devastated Donbas, destroying its industries and displacing millions. The region’s people have the right to decide their own future, free from foreign occupation and coercion. We call on world leaders to reject any deal that sacrifices Donbas and to stand in solidarity with Ukraine’s struggle for self-determination, economic justice, and peace.