Russian President Vladimir Putin is said to have asked US President Donald Trump to recognize Russia’s control over eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions as a prerequisite for ending the war in Ukraine during their summit in Alaska. Putin reportedly offered to relinquish other territories held by Russia in exchange. The plans were reported by multiple sources, close to the matter, as Trump scheduled a further meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington, which he sees as a potential precursor to a three-way meeting including Putin. Despite initial reports of a possible ceasefire, no deal was reached and Zelenskyy previously ruled out relinquishing any territory to Moscow. Putin’s forces already control about a third of Ukraine, including most of Donetsk province. Mr. Trump appeared to have shifted his stance following the summit, emphasizing a desire for a permanent peace agreement. No concrete actions were outlined after the meeting, which is expected to pave the way for further discussions. The situation remains complex, with ongoing hostilities and differing negotiating stances from all parties involved.
Pic: AP/ Julia Demaree Nikhinson
Details of the negotiation proposals were vague until the high-profile meeting between Putin and Trump. Despite earlier threats from Trump of sanctions if there was no agreement on a ceasefire, the meeting produced no clear plan to halt the conflict or outline the next steps for peace talks. After the summit, Trump’s position on the outcome was ambiguous, indicating instead a preference for a permanent peace settlement rather than a mere ceasefire. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy’s willingness to negotiate remains uncertain, as his earlier stance explicitly opposed any territorial concessions. The destructive conflict continues to have profound impacts on the region and global geopolitics.
