The condition put to Trump a little in exchange for freezing the front. The two regions of which Ukraine should withdraw
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Photo: Ulia Demaree Nikhinson / AP / Profimedia
According to the Financial Times, Vladimir Putin put Donald Trump a condition for the end of the war: the withdrawal of Ukraine from the Donetk and Lugansk region, offering instead the “freezing” of the rest of the front.
The Russian president presented the proposal at a meeting with Trump in Alaska on Friday, four people with direct knowledge said. The next day, Trump sent the message to Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski and European leaders, urging them to give up trying to get an armistice and focus on a peace agreement.
The Kremlin's proposal would offer Moscow full control over the Donetk region, where the Russian forces make the biggest advance in November, writes the Greek press. Instead, Putin would not expand their attacks in Herson and Zaporojie, areas that they already control.
Despite the “concessions”, the Russian leader did not give up his central demands: disarming Ukraine, preventing its accession to NATO and overturning the current government.
The publication notes that Putin stated that he did not withdraw his fundamental requirements of “resolving deep causes” of the conflict, which, in practice, would mean the end of Ukrainian statehood in its current form and block the extension to the east of NATO.
However, the Russian president seems willing to compromise in other issues, including the territorial ones, as long as the “deep causes” are solved, according to a former high -ranking official.
The Russian forces control about 70% of Donets, but the western cities and villages – which remain free under Ukrainian control – are crucial for Ukraine's military operations and defensive lines on the Eastern Front.
People familiar with Zelenski said he would not agree to teach Donetsk, but would open to discuss the territorial issue with Trump in Washington, where they expect to meet on Monday. According to the same sources, Zelenski would also be willing to discuss the problem in a trilateral meeting with Trump and Putin.
The White House did not respond to the request to comment on the contents of Trump-Putin discussions. Dmitri Peskov, Putin's spokesman, did not immediately respond to the request to comment.
European leaders were invited to attend the discussions between Ukrainian President Zelenski and US President Trump, who will take place in Washington, a person familiar with the situation told Reuters.
The same source mentioned that it is not yet completely clear which of the leaders will participate.
