Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a plan to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine in exchange for control over the Donbas region, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. This offer was made during a meeting with U.S. officials earlier this week in Moscow.
Putin’s proposal came to light after discussions between his team and Trump administration envoy Steve Witkoff. The Donbas region includes the eastern Ukrainian areas of Donetsk and Luhansk, which Russia aims to fully control, along with Crimea, a territory annexed by Russia in 2014. Currently, Russian forces mostly occupy Donetsk and Luhansk, but Ukrainian troops continue to resist in certain areas.
European officials expressed concern about Putin’s offer. They worry it might be a tactic to escape potential sanctions from President Trump, who is considering imposing secondary tariffs on Russia. Additionally, there are doubts about whether Putin would be willing to cease his ambitions in other Ukrainian regions, such as Zaporizhia and Kherson, located southwest of Donbas.
In a related development, President Trump announced a meeting with Putin scheduled for August 15 in Alaska. Trump shared this news on his social media platform, Truth Social, emphasizing that the meeting would be significant. He mentioned that he had been planning this summit and that it would occur without the presence of European leaders. Trump has also insisted that Putin should meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during this time.
Trump expressed optimism about peace, stating that both Putin and Zelensky desire an end to the conflict. He suggested there might be a "swapping" of territories, indicating a potential exchange that could benefit both nations.
As the deadline Trump set for reaching a peace agreement passed, he remained open to discussions with Putin. He mentioned that the outcome would depend on Putin’s response. The U.S. president has intensified pressure on Putin to conclude the war, which has led to significant casualties over the past three years. Meanwhile, tensions remain high as Putin continues to launch attacks on Ukrainian civilian areas.
In response to escalating threats from Russia, Trump has repositioned two nuclear submarines, highlighting the serious nature of the situation. The upcoming summit may be crucial in determining the future of Ukraine and the broader region.
