Putin Said to Be Open to Ending War If He Gains Eastern Ukraine

Putin Suggests Territorial Compromise to Halt Ukraine War

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly stated that the war in Ukraine could cease if Ukraine relinquishes control of a significant area in the eastern part of the country. This information was shared by European and Ukrainian officials with The Wall Street Journal.

On Wednesday, Putin made a proposal to special envoy Steve Witkov, suggesting that Ukraine should cede the Russian-speaking Donbas region to Russia in exchange for a cessation of hostilities. According to reports, President Donald Trump has been striving for peace in the area since he took office, and the ongoing conflict has led to considerable casualties on both sides since it began in 2022.

Officials indicated that Putin expressed willingness to halt the conflict in Ukraine if Ukrainian forces withdraw from the Donetsk region. Currently, Russia holds portions of the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, while it has full control over the Luhansk region.

Details about Putin’s willingness to withdraw from the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson areas remain unclear. Additionally, European officials were reportedly involved in multiple discussions with the Trump administration throughout the week concerning this proposal.

During the first of these discussions on Wednesday, Trump participated along with Secretary Marco Rubio, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Witkov. The same group convened again on Thursday, although Trump did not join.

In a third conversation on Friday, Witkov informed European counterparts that Putin’s proposal consists of two phases. The initial phase would involve Ukraine withdrawing its troops from Donetsk, followed by a freeze of the frontline until a more stable agreement is established involving Trump, Ukrainian President Voldy Mie Zelensky, and Putin.