Trump urges Ukraine to accept Russia’s terms to end war – Politico

Sources in the US administration have reported that Trump and his team are continuing to work on organizing a possible meeting between Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The White House acknowledges that the negotiation process is proving difficult, although Trump is assuring those around him that the dialogue is continuing.

Former and current officials note that Trump has always considered Russia to be the party with the stronger position, while Ukraine depends on US military and intelligence assistance, which allegedly gives Washington more leverage over Kyiv.

In private conversations, particularly with French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump has stated that Putin wants to make a deal with him. At the same time, the Kremlin continues to intensify its attacks on Ukraine.

Responding to the massive strikes, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia is trying to avoid the need for a face-to-face meeting and an end to the war. He also supported Trump's message, stressing that Putin understands nothing but force and pressure.

Despite this, according to Politico, Trump is not ready to increase economic pressure on Moscow and rejects the idea of new sanctions, considering them ineffective. In Europe, there are fears that if the process drags on, Trump may lose interest in the negotiations.

NATO countries saw some positivity in Trump's statement that the US could play a role in supporting future security guarantees being discussed by European states. But, as Politico notes, the Pentagon immediately made it clear that US involvement would be minimal.

Kremlin's demands

During a meeting in Alaska, Vladimir Putin presented US President Donald Trump with his conditions for ending the war against Ukraine, including demands for territorial concessions.

According to Reuters, Moscow is ready to give up part of the occupied areas of the Kharkiv and Sumy regions, but demands that Ukraine cede land in the east, particularly in the Donetsk region.

In a conversation with Trump, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the issue of a possible exchange of territories could be discussed, but the final decision must be made taking into account the position of the Ukrainian people.

According to Reuters sources, in his new proposal, Putin insists on the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from those parts of Donbas that Kyiv still controls. At the same time, the Kremlin agrees to fix the current front line in the south, in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.