Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort, Palm Beach, Florida, December 28, 2025 (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
Tuesday’s Coverage: EU to Unblock €90 Billion Loan to Kyiv on Wednesday
Trying to ensure US support for a ceasefire of Russia’s invasion along current frontlines, Kyiv’s officials have half-jokingly suggested that part of eastern Ukraine could be renamed “DonnyLand” in honor of Donald Trump.
The “Donnyland” label merges the Donbas, referring to the Donetsk and Luhansk region; Donald; and Disneyland. It was mentioned in Ukraine-Russia-US talks, now suspended by the US-Israel Wars on Iran and Lebanon.
“DonnyLand” would include about 2,000 square miles in the northwest of Ukraine-held Donetsk. Negotiators reportedly suggested that Trump’s “Board of Peace”, which does not include Ukraine or Russia, could help administer the area.
The proposal is not in any official documents.
Despite years of offensives with heavy casualties, Russia has failed to conquer around 20% of Donetsk, included the heavily-fortified area. Ukraine is refusing to surrender the territory, seen as a “highway to Kyiv” in any future Russian invasion. However, Donald Trump’s envoy, real estate developer Steve Witkoff, has supported the Kremlin’s attempts to seize the area through Kyiv’s capitulation in discussions.
