Putin Demands Donbas in Controversial Peace Push
Here’s the latest on the Ukraine conflict and recent international developments. At a high-profile summit in Alaska, Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly told former US President Donald Trump that the war in Ukraine could only end if Ukraine agreed to withdraw completely from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Sources familiar with the discussions say that, in exchange, Russia would halt further advances and freeze the frontlines in other areas, including southern Ukraine’s Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, where Russian forces occupy significant territory.
This demand comes amid heavy fighting in the Donbas region. While Luhansk is nearly fully under Russian control, Ukraine still holds key parts of Donetsk, including the cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, which have been heavily fortified at great human cost. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently rejected giving up these territories, and European allies have reinforced the principle that Ukraine’s borders must not be changed by force.
The summit in Alaska sparked intense reactions. Trump reportedly expressed support for a plan that would see Ukraine cede land to Russia as part of a peace agreement, marking a shift from previous calls for an immediate ceasefire. Ukrainian officials described this stance as a “stab in the back” and warned that it could be seen as forcing Ukraine into capitulation. Zelenskyy, meanwhile, announced he would fly to Washington to meet Trump for further discussions, emphasizing that no territorial issues can be decided without Ukraine’s participation. European leaders were also invited to join these talks.
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Beyond the territorial discussions, the summit included other notable moments. Planning documents for the event were accidentally left in a hotel printer, revealing a detailed schedule of meetings, menus, and attendees. The meeting itself, initially planned as a brief two-on-two session, expanded to include additional US officials and lasted nearly three hours, replacing a planned working lunch. Putin and Trump gave only brief public statements and declined questions from the press.
Meanwhile, humanitarian concerns continue. Melania Trump reportedly hand-delivered a letter to Putin highlighting the plight of Ukrainian and Russian children caught in the war, particularly those abducted from occupied areas. The conflict’s human cost remains high, with thousands of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians still in captivity.
On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces have been pushing back Russian advances, reclaiming some territory in the north. At the same time, Canada and the US have expressed willingness to provide security guarantees for Ukraine under any peace agreement. Both Zelenskyy and international partners continue to stress that a real, lasting peace must be achieved, rather than a temporary ceasefire that leaves Russian aggression unchallenged.
In short, the Alaska summit has intensified debates over Ukraine’s future. While Putin seeks control over Donetsk and Luhansk as the price of peace, Ukrainian leaders and allies insist that sovereignty cannot be compromised. The coming days, including Zelenskyy’s Washington visit, could prove pivotal in shaping the next stage of this conflict.
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