Putin proposes ceasefire in two regions for Ukrainian withdrawal from Donbas - Axios
Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed halting fighting in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions if Ukrainian forces withdraw from Donbas, reports Axios journalist Barak Ravid.
The announcement follows a meeting yesterday and overnight between Trump and Putin in Alaska.
Ravid's source, familiar with the leaders' talks, revealed Putin's offer.
"The Russian president proposed to freeze the front in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson area in exchange for a Ukrainian withdrawal from Donetsk (Donbas -ed.) — a demand Ukraine is highly unlikely to accept," the post said.
Territory-for-peace deal
The main topic of the Alaska summit was the war in Ukraine and possible ways to end it.
After the meeting, both leaders addressed the press. No ceasefire agreement was reached.
Details from the summit remain limited. Trump later gave an interview to Fox News, posted updates on social media, and spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders.
Trump advised Zelenskyy to make a deal with Russia and suggested this could lead to a fast trilateral meeting of Ukraine, the US, and Russian leaders. He stressed that progress depends on the Ukrainian President.
Early this morning, Trump wrote on social media that all parties agreed the best way to end the war is to move straight to a peace agreement rather than a temporary ceasefire.
According to Bloomberg, Trump also told Zelenskyy and European leaders that Putin's position has not changed. The Russian president still wants Ukrainian forces to leave Donbas.
It was also reported that on Monday, Zelenskyy will head to Washington to meet with Trump and discuss steps to end the war.
