According to anonymous representatives of the authorities, Putin suggested that in return he could give up some territories in two other regions of Ukraine – the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts – that were previously occupied by Russian troops.
Read also: Poland a welfare state? “Is this the second Sweden we are talking about?
This is how Donald Trump's people were supposed to react to Russia's proposal
The proposal was considered slightly less radical than the claims made by Moscow in August during the Putin-Trump summit in Anchorage. Some White House officials reportedly assessed this as a step forward, but – as another source noted – Ukrainians do not share this optimism.
Russia currently controls only a part of the Donetsk Oblast, and Ukrainian forces in the region are strongly strengthened. Donbas is perceived by Kiev as a strategic line of defense against a possible Russian offensive deep into the country, towards the capital.
Read also: The native Hungarian recommends five places. Don't limit yourself to Budapest
According to commentators the fact that the Kremlin continues to focus on these territories shows that Putin has no intention of giving up his previous demands, which keeps the conflict in a stalemate. This contradicts Trump's stated belief that he can bring about peace.
The Washington Post also reports that Trump's envoy on Ukraine, businessman Steve Witkoff, during Friday's meeting, allegedly pressed Ukrainian representatives to agree to handing over control of the Donetsk Oblast to Russia, arguing that most of its inhabitants speak Russian.
Trump himself has not yet commented publicly on Putin's proposal. However, after a meeting at the White House with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, he revealed that he had suggested to him the need to conclude an agreement with Russia. According to Trump, both sides should “stop where they are” and declare victory. Zelensky admitted that he generally agreed with this approach, but emphasized that the real problem remained the position of the Russian leader.
