President Donald Trump has signaled support for Vladimir Putin’s demand that Ukraine cede Donetsk, the mineral-rich eastern region, as the price of ending the war.
At their Alaska summit, Putin proposed freezing the front line in exchange for full control of Donetsk and pledged not to advance further.
The US president, who will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington on Monday, is expected to press him to accept territorial concessions in return for U.S.-led security guarantees modelled on Nato’s Article 5.
A source told The Telegraph: “Putin de facto demands that Ukraine leave Donbas. Trump is inclined to support it.” The guarantees, backed by Britain, France and Germany, would stop short of Nato membership but mark Americans president’s first commitment to join a European defence pact.
European leaders fear Zelensky will reject the plan, risking a clash with Trump. “The worst outcome would be a public rupture with President Trump that cannot be walked back,” one diplomat warned.
Zelensky reiterated on Saturday that Ukraine will not give up territory, while thanking allies for their unity. “Stopping the killing is a key element of stopping the war,” he said.
The UK stressed that only Kyiv can decide on territorial compromises but welcomed Trump’s security guarantee offer as a “significant breakthrough.”
Putin says alignment made with Trump
Putin, meanwhile, claimed “an understanding” had been reached with American president, warning Europe not to torpedo progress. He has also demanded protections for the Russian Orthodox Church and restoration of Russian as an official language in Ukraine.
Despite the push for a settlement, EU officials insisted their priority remains “a full and unconditional ceasefire with strong monitoring.”
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