Emerging details of the potential Ukraine peace agreement await Trump-Putin summit, aiming to freeze the war situation starting next week
In the lead-up to next week's historic summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, a potential peace deal for Ukraine is causing controversy. The proposed agreement could see a ceasefire in the ongoing war, with Russia potentially retaining control over some Ukrainian territories, specifically around the Donetsk region.
According to reports, Putin might be willing to limit territorial demands to just the Donetsk area rather than the four regions originally sought. However, this would still involve Ukraine conceding control over a significant part of Donetsk, including areas Ukraine currently controls (about 25% of Donetsk). This concession, which could mean ceding unoccupied Ukrainian land, is a major concern for Ukraine.
The Ukrainian government, led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, firmly opposes any concession on its internationally recognized borders. They view such a deal as a betrayal or sell-out that risks undermining Ukraine's sovereignty and democracy. Zelenskyy and his European allies are actively trying to shape Trump’s stance ahead of talks to block any agreement that would favor Russia or threaten Ukraine’s independence.
The peace deal being explored in the upcoming Alaska meeting is proposed as a mutual halt to the war with Russia locking in its territorial gains since February 2022, and Ukraine possibly having to make territorial concessions around Donetsk. Other conditions such as demilitarization may also be part of the deal, though details remain unclear.
In return for these concessions, Russia would reportedly stop its offensive in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. However, the International Criminal Court has an arrest warrant hanging over Putin, which could pose diplomatic risks for any meeting on Italian soil. Potential venues for the summit include Turkey, Italy, Hungary, China, and the UAE.
Trump has expressed frustration with Putin, questioning whether the Russian leader really wants peace with Ukraine. His patience is wearing thin ahead of the meeting, with him stating, "It's going to be up to him." According to Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, Trump holds the economic sledgehammer if he's willing to swing it.
Meanwhile, Ukraine claimed it struck a fuel depot near Russia's Millerovo air base, potentially damaging infrastructure used by military aircraft. The peace plan is yet to be finalized but is expected to be discussed between Trump and Putin. Zelensky remains the wild card in the peace negotiations.
Trump has dismissed claims that next week's historic summit hinges on a three-way meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky. Overnight, Russian drones have hit homes, schools, and sports facilities across Ukraine, causing civilian casualties. The peace deal may involve territorial concessions by Ukraine, including the cession of the Donbas area and Crimea, which Ukraine rejects.
The lack of Ukrainian involvement in the negotiations led by Trump and Putin is another point of contention. This raises concerns about the legitimacy and fairness of the proposed peace deal. As the world waits for next week's summit, the future of Ukraine hangs in the balance.
The upcoming peace deal discussions between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are centered around potential territorial concessions by Ukraine, particularly in the Donetsk region, which is a major point of politics and general news. Both Russia and Ukraine are looking towards their leaders, Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, respectively, to shape political decisions that could impact war-and-conflicts in Ukraine. Zelensky, in particular, is a wild card in the peace negotiations due to his firm opposition to any concession on Ukraine's internationally recognized borders.
