Countries under consideration to relinquish control over territories occupied by Russia, potential backing from European allies
In the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the latest developments indicate a stalemate in peace prospects. Despite reports suggesting that Ukraine may consider territorial concessions as part of a peace plan backed by Europe, Ukraine is not currently considering such concessions.
The Kremlin's inflexibility on its demands, as reiterated by Russian officials like Alexei Fadeev of Russia’s Foreign Ministry, has led to this impasse. Russia's war objectives, unchanged since Putin's June 2024 demands, require Ukraine's full withdrawal from Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson oblasts — including areas not under Russian control — along with Ukraine’s demilitarization, "denazification," removal of its current democratic government, and future neutrality outside NATO.
In contrast, the United States and European leaders continue to support Kyiv's position, refusing to engage in peace negotiations that would involve such sweeping territorial concessions to Russia. The U.S., as of mid-2025, has explicitly clarified it will not pursue peace agreements with Russia that violate Ukraine’s sovereignty or force significant territorial losses.
As the peace prospects remain uncertain, a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump is scheduled for August 15 in Alaska. This meeting, according to reports, will discuss the long-term resolution of the Ukrainian conflict. European leaders will support Kyiv's position on any "territorial exchanges," and will try to convince President Trump that there is a "red line" of "Ukraine plus Europe" that rejects Kyiv's abandonment of any territories under its control.
Meanwhile, Kyiv may make concessions to secure guarantees from Europe and the US. European officials believe that President Zelensky has room for maneuver regarding the growing number of Ukrainian voters who are ready to cede land to Moscow in exchange for an end to the war. However, Zelensky insists that he will not abandon territories currently under Kyiv's control.
The proposed peace plan could result in freezing the front line where it is and giving Russia de facto control over territories in Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea. This plan, if implemented, would significantly alter Ukraine's territorial integrity.
This news is reported by London-based journalist Zoya Oskolkova, and the article is published by RIA "Novy Day." The Daily Telegraph also reports this information, citing Western sources. The negotiations are linked to concerns in Europe and Ukraine that Trump and Putin may agree to end the long-standing war without involving Zelensky and the EU.
The guarantees included in any potential peace deal would include weapons supplies for Ukraine and the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO. The details of these guarantees are yet to be finalized, and the outcome of the August 15 meeting between Putin and Trump remains uncertain.
[1] Source: RIA "Novy Day" (2025) and The Daily Telegraph (2025)
- Amidst the ongoing war-and-conflicts between Ukraine and Russia, policy-and-legislation becomes crucial as the U.S. and European leaders continue to support Kyiv's position, refusing to engage in negotiations that require significant territorial concessions to Russia.
- As political tensions rise, with Russia adhering to its demands and Ukraine holding firm on its territory, the upcoming meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump could shape the future of general-news headlines, potentially influencing policy-and-legislation regarding the Ukrainian conflict.
