Putin offers limited Ukraine ceasefire before Trump summit, The Economist says

According to the outlet, the limited ceasefire would apply to air and sea operations. Sources told the magazine that a broader breakthrough could follow if a wider package of agreements is developed. However, the end result would likely resemble a frozen conflict.

While those discussions continue, The Economist noted that the positions of Ukraine, Russia, and the United States remain far apart, and doubts persist over Putin’s true intentions. The shape of the peace deal being discussed by the three countries is still difficult to define.

"There appear to be several emerging and overlapping texts, described by sources as parallel works in progress," The Economist said.

Against this backdrop, the magazine detailed a separate but related development — the meeting between Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin.

During the three-hour talks, Witkoff offered Putin the prospect of reintegrating Russia into the global economy, including lifting sanctions and removing restrictions on hydrocarbon trade.

At that point, Putin is believed to have proposed halting combat if Ukraine voluntarily withdraws from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Trump-Putin meeting and peace in Ukraine

Earlier this morning, President Trump announced that he will meet with Putin in Alaska on August 15. The war in Ukraine and ways to end it will be among the key topics.

Just hours before the announcement, Trump told reporters that a territorial swap between Ukraine and Russia could be possible.

Media reports also suggested that during his talks with Witkoff, Putin agreed to end the war if Ukraine pulls its forces out of Donbas.

However, according to Bild, the situation is even more complicated. Witkoff reportedly misunderstood Putin, believing Russia was ready to withdraw from the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. In fact, Putin was referring to a withdrawal of Ukrainian troops.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Putin may use the Alaska meeting to present Trump with an ultimatum on Ukraine. The proposal could include recognizing occupied territories in exchange for withdrawing Russian troops from other areas. If Ukraine and Europe reject the plan, Trump could blame Kyiv for prolonging the war.

European countries, together with Ukraine, have already presented their own plan to end the war ahead of the Trump-Putin meeting. Their proposal rejects Russia's offer of a ceasefire in exchange for withdrawing from Donetsk and takes a different approach