US plan sees Ukraine ceding territory same size as Luxembourg

AFP | Paris

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The US peace plan for Ukraine could see Russia gain an area almost the same size as Luxembourg without a fight, according to an AFP analysis of data provided by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The US initiative, seen by AFP, calls for the withdrawal of the Ukrainian army from territories it still controls, leading to a net gain of approximately 2,300 square kilometres (888 square miles) for Moscow -- almost the same area as Luxembourg (2,590 sq km), without firing a single shot.

Kyiv would relinquish nearly 5,000 sq km currently under its control in the Donetsk Oblast -- which would be used to create a buffer zone -- and a 45 sq km pocket in the Lugansk Oblast.

These concessions include the major cities of Kramatorsk and neighbouring Sloviansk.