According to a European diplomat, former President Donald Trump is reportedly backing Vladimir Putin’s proposal that Russia assume complete control of the Donbas region in Ukraine, while freezing the battle lines elsewhere.
The Donbas region, encompassing Luhansk and Donetsk, had approximately 6.5 million residents before the war.
Following discussions in Alaska on Friday, Trump informed European allies that the Russian President wants the key regions of Luhansk and Donetsk. However, Putin seemed open to the possibility of resolving the stalemates in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, along with a freeze along the existing front lines.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously stated his opposition to ceding any territory in the Donbas.
Zelenskyy has refused to withdraw from the remaining 30% of Donetsk still under Ukrainian control, arguing that it would be unconstitutional and could serve as a future staging ground for Russian offensives.
The Ukrainian President is scheduled to meet with Trump at the White House on Monday.
Trump has shifted from supporting a ceasefire to advocating for a peace agreement after his meeting with Putin, who has consistently stated that Moscow seeks a long-term settlement aligned with Kremlin interests, rather than a temporary truce.
Following conversations with Zelenskyy and , Trump stated on social media Saturday that all parties agreed a peace agreement, not a ceasefire, is the best way to end the war.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on ZDF television that Trump indicated Russia “seems to be prepared to conduct the negotiations based on the so-called line of contact and not the administrative boundaries.”
Major European leaders issued a statement after their call with Trump, but it didn’t mention if they prefer a peace deal over a ceasefire.
The leaders stated they “welcomed to stop the killing in Ukraine, end Russia’s war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace.”
Putin described his discussions with Trump in Alaska as “very frank.”
“We, of course, respect the position of the American administration, which sees the need for a speedy end to military actions,” Putin said at a follow-up meeting at the Kremlin, adding that “we would like to move to resolving all issues by peaceful means.”