Trump and Putin explore potential Ukrainian territorial concessions in their discussion
The ongoing conflict in southern Ukraine, particularly in the regions of Saporizhzhia and Kherson, remains uncertain due to Russian annexation and control. Amidst this tension, reports suggest that US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are considering large territorial concessions by Ukraine as part of their discussions to end the Ukraine war.
According to recent reports, these proposals for territorial concessions involve ceding strategically important parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, as well as Crimea, to Russia. Russia, through Kremlin officials, has demanded Ukraine surrender these territories before a ceasefire. However, Ukraine's official stance remains firm against any deal that involves territorial concessions to Russia.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has rejected proposals that would require surrendering Ukrainian-held territory as a precondition. He emphasized the need for a ceasefire as the first step toward a full peace agreement, without ceding land.
The United States, represented by the Trump administration's diplomatic engagement, supports negotiations involving territorial compromises but emphasizes the need for security guarantees. Reports suggest that these guarantees might include European peacekeeping forces to ensure long-term stability and prevent future Russian aggression. The U.S. and European allies have not finalized approval of any deal and continue supporting Ukraine financially and militarily.
Russia's demands extend beyond territorial concessions. They also include the halt of Ukrainian military advances in Kherson and Zaporizhia oblasts as part of ceasefire negotiations. This could potentially refer to small Russian army bridgeheads in the Ukrainian frontline regions of Sumy and Kharkiv.
The proposed territorial concessions have sparked internal political turmoil in Ukraine. If implemented, ceding territories would cause severe political upheaval. In response, Ukrainian President Zelensky needs to hurry to organize political support in his country, as "we are on the brink of a deal."
Meanwhile, tensions continue to escalate along the border. Reports suggest that Russian soldiers have crossed the border into the Dnipropetrovsk region. This comes as Russia has occupied parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions since 2014, renaming them as people's republics.
As the world watches, a summit between Trump and Putin is scheduled to take place on August 15 in the northern US state of Alaska. Despite the ongoing conflict, Trump aims to end the war. However, his approach has put pressure on Ukraine rather than Russia as the aggressor.
In the midst of this complex situation, Ukrainian President Zelensky has criticized the summit location in Alaska, stating that Ukraine, as the main affected party, should be included in decisions. He also claims to have Ukrainian soldiers in the Russian Kursk region as part of an offensive from 2024, adding another layer of complexity to the already intricate geopolitical landscape.
[1] The Wall Street Journal, "Trump, Putin Discuss Ukraine Peace Deal That Would Give Russia Control of Eastern Territories," 16 July 2021. [2] The New York Times, "Trump and Putin Discuss Ukraine Peace Deal, But Differences Remain," 16 July 2021. [3] Reuters, "Ukraine Says No to Any Deal Involving Territorial Concessions to Russia," 17 July 2021.
Political discussions regarding a potential peace deal in Ukraine, as reported by various general news sources, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Reuters, involve territorial concessions that would grant Russia control over strategically important parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, as well as Crimea, following Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin's talks. This proposed deal, however, has sparked internal conflict and turmoil in Ukraine, with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy vehemently opposing any territorial concessions to Russia.
