Ukraine pitches naming coveted Donbas section ‘Donnyland’ to honor Trump’s aid against Russia

Ukrainian officials have floated an unusual idea in diplomatic discussions with the United States: renaming part of the contested Donbas region “Donnyland” as a symbolic gesture toward President Donald Trump and the support his administration has provided during the war with Russia, according to a report.

The concept has not appeared in any formal proposals, but Ukrainian representatives have repeatedly mentioned it in conversations with U.S. counterparts, officials told The New York Times.

The suggestion is widely viewed as an effort to gain Trump’s support as decisions loom over the future of Donbas. The idea gained traction after Trump indicated he might be open to allowing Russia to retain control of the region following a past meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Russian forces have seized most of Donbas during more than four years of fighting, though they have struggled to break through heavily fortified defensive positions in parts of Donetsk that have resisted attacks for years.

Kyiv has consistently opposed any arrangement that would hand over Donbas, arguing that losing the অঞ্চল would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future invasions. As part of its pitch, Ukraine proposed renaming a roughly 50-by-40-mile հատված in northeastern Donetsk, reinforcing the area’s defensive stronghold.

Under the concept, “Donnyland” would function as a long-term buffer between Ukraine and Russia. Ukrainian officials hope that attaching the name of a U.S. president to the ტერიტორი would deter Moscow from launching further offensives, out of concern it could provoke a stronger American response. According to the report, even symbolic elements such as a flag and national anthem for the proposed المنطقة were created using artificial intelligence, featuring green and gold colors.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has frequently described Trump as a ключ figure in efforts to bring the war to an end. In an interview earlier this year, Zelensky said he trusts Trump as the elected leader of the United States and expressed willingness to work with him despite tensions during Trump’s second term. He has also acknowledged that Ukraine’s ability to withstand Russia’s invasion depends heavily on continued U.S. support.

In addition to the renaming idea, Ukrainian negotiators have discussed a possible “Monaco model” for the region, envisioning a semi-autonomous entity with economic advantages similar to the Mediterranean city-state.

Talks over the future of Donbas have slowed since late February, as U.S. attention shifted toward military operations involving Iran.