Trump Supports Putin’s Proposal on Donbas Control
Recently, President Donald Trump indicated support for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plan regarding the Donbas region, which involves Russia gaining complete control. This approach, as mentioned by European diplomats, could potentially ease negotiations with Ukraine.
The Donbas region had a population of around 150,000 before the conflict escalated, encompassing Luhansk and Donetsk.
After a meeting with Putin in Alaska last Friday, Trump shared with European allies that Putin is keen on securing the major regions of Luhansk and Donetsk. Interestingly, he also hinted at the possibility of a freeze along the frontline, which may allow for an agreement concerning Zaporisia and Harson, hinting at a potential reduction in hostilities.
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly opposed any notion of ceding territory in Donbas.
Zelenskyy Sets Conditions for Peaceful Resolution
Zelenskyy has been clear about not withdrawing from the remaining 30% of Donetsk that Ukraine controls, citing constitutional concerns and the risk of it being leveraged for future Russian attacks.
In fact, he’s set to meet with Trump at the White House on Monday.
Trump apparently shifted his stance from advocating for a ceasefire to pursuing a more definitive peace agreement following his talk with Putin. Putin, for his part, has previously stated that a temporary ceasefire isn’t on his agenda; he’s searching for a long-term solution that aligns with Kremlin interests.
Negotiations in Motion
On social media, Trump remarked after a discussion with Zelensky and other European leaders that they are considering a more collaborative approach based on contact information rather than strict administrative boundaries.
German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz mentioned on ZDF Television that Trump “seems to be prepared to negotiate based on what is called contact information, not administrative boundaries.”
Interestingly, European leaders did not explicitly express a preference for peace agreements over ceasefires in their statements following the call.
Despite the complexities, it seems like there’s some degree of readiness to explore avenues towards peace. Zelenskyy, on his end, acknowledged Trump’s efforts to halt violence in Ukraine and promote lasting peace.
In the meantime, Putin called his conversation with Trump “very frank” and emphasized the U.S. administration’s respect for the urgency in ending military actions. He expressed a desire to resolve issues through peaceful methods.
