Putin demanded the transfer of Donbass to Russia
The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, has demanded that the administration of US President Donald Trump include the transfer of the Donbass region to Russian control among the conditions set for stopping military clashes in Ukraine. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
On August 8, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing European and Ukrainian government sources. According to reports, Putin indicated that he would agree to ceasefire if Kyiv withdrew its troops from the Donetsk region.
Then the issue of freezing the front line will be discussed. Later, the Russian leader stated his intention to discuss a final peace agreement with Trump and then with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.
According to The Wall Street Journal, in this case, Russia will retain control over the Donetsk and Luhansk regions as well as the Crimean peninsula, which was annexed in 2014. In Putin's demand, Russia only commits to cease military actions, with no additional conditions.
Axios sources also confirmed that if Ukraine hands over the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, which are mainly under Russian control, as well as Crimea, Moscow has indicated its readiness to cease military actions. Additionally, Putin proposed to freeze the front line in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions along the borders of the territories annexed by Russia in 2022.
Subsequently, Russia aims to negotiate territorial exchanges with Ukraine, seeking full control over the aforementioned two regions. However, it is currently unclear what territory Ukraine would receive in return.
According to sources, Putin conveyed his conditions through US President's special envoy Steve Witkoff during negotiations held in Moscow on August 6. Witkoff and Trump then communicated these demands to European allies and the Ukrainian leadership via phone.
European and Ukrainian officials are concerned that Putin's proposal could be used as a strategic maneuver to avoid new economic sanctions and tariffs that may be imposed by the US, as well as to prolong the war. The Economist reported that Putin also suggested ceasing fire in air and maritime areas.
Moreover, a comprehensive set of agreements is being worked on, which should define a clear form for freezing the conflict. In a video address on August 9, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky firmly emphasized that the Ukrainian people would not surrender their land to the invader.
According to him, the territorial issue of the country is enshrined in the Constitution, which does not allow the president to consent to territorial changes. Zelensky also expressed his readiness to continue cooperation with European countries and US President Donald Trump.
He responded for the first time to reports that the issue of territorial exchange is present in the peace agreement project being discussed between Russia and the US. The White House declined to comment on media speculation, citing "respect for delicate diplomatic processes."
The Kremlin also did not respond to journalists' questions. Later, according to WSJ, Ukraine and European countries presented their peace plan to the US.
It stated that both sides should first cease fire, territorial exchanges should only take place based on mutual agreement, and if Kyiv were to make territorial changes, it must receive firm security guarantees, including NATO membership. Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump are planning to meet in Alaska on August 15.
The US president expressed hope that a trilateral meeting involving Putin and Zelensky would be organized afterward. Russia has not yet agreed to such a meeting.
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