Kremlin refuses to cede Kherson and Zaporizhzhia despite ceasefire talks - Washington Post

The Washington Post says that the hint by Russian President Vladimir Putin at a possible cessation of Russian attacks in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions was perceived by the United States as an offer to withdraw troops.

An informed source who took part in the negotiations reported that the Kremlin proposed to Ukraine to give up Donbas — Luhansk and Donetsk regions — in exchange for a ceasefire. Moscow put forward no other conditions.

According to the source, the Russian side does not intend to return the territories of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, which provide Moscow with a strategic land bridge to the occupied Crimea.

European leaders responded with a statement that a ceasefire should be a prerequisite for negotiations, not a Russian "chip" for pressuring Kyiv.

On Friday, US President Donald Trump confirmed that the Kremlin is offering "a certain exchange of territories beneficial to both sides."

Russian experts emphasized that Putin is not going to retreat from the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions — regions illegally annexed in 2022.

Trump on possible territorial exchange

US President Donald Trump allowed for the idea of a territorial exchange between Russia and Ukraine.

He noted that the situation is complex, but during negotiations, the return of some territories to Ukraine is planned, as well as a mutual exchange of lands for the benefit of both sides.

Additionally, he announced the date and location of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled for August 15 in Alaska.

According to CBS News, there is a possibility that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will join the Trump–Putin summit next week.

The Head of State, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, emphasized that Ukraine will not cede its territories to the Russian occupiers.