United States, Ukraine, and European Union government officials to convene in the United Kingdom prior to the anticipated Trump-Putin summit, according to various news outlets
In a series of recent developments, discussions about a potential territorial exchange have emerged in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The details of these discussions come from assessments dated August 9-10, 2025, prior to a scheduled meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Russia has proposed a deal that would grant it full control over the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, as well as the occupied Crimean peninsula. In return, Russia would freeze fighting in the Zaporizhia and Kherson regions and begin ceasefire negotiations.
Putin reportedly offered to withdraw from parts of Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts as a goodwill gesture if Ukraine would cede the remainder of the unoccupied Donetsk Oblast. However, it is unclear whether Putin truly intends to withdraw from occupied Zaporizhia and Kherson oblasts or if his offer was just to freeze the frontline there.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected these demands. If Zelensky were to agree, a referendum would be necessary, as the Ukrainian Constitution does not allow territories to be ceded, according to one Ukrainian representative.
During a phone conference on Wednesday, Trump briefed several European leaders, including Zelensky, on the results of his special envoy Steve Biegun's meeting with Putin. Biegun told the participants that Putin is ready to end the war if Ukraine agrees to cede the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, as well as Crimea.
The leaders' meeting between the US and Russia is scheduled for August 15 in Alaska. The idea for this in-person meeting emerged during a video conference between American, Ukrainian, and European officials on Friday, August 8. High-ranking officials from the United States, Ukraine, and several European countries are planning to meet in the UK this weekend to coordinate their positions before the scheduled meeting.
However, Ukraine and some NATO allies are concerned that Trump may agree to Putin's terms without considering their positions. Biegun clarified during another video conference that Putin had only agreed to freeze Russia's current positions in these regions, not to withdraw completely.
These developments have caused confusion among Ukrainian officials about the details of Russia's proposal and the US position. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community will closely watch the upcoming meeting between Trump and Putin to understand the potential outcomes and implications for the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
[1] Source: Recent Assessments dated August 9-10, 2025.
- Amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the negotiations for a potential territorial exchange have sparked conversations in the realm of general news, politics, and war-and-conflicts.
- The proposed deal, involving territorial concessions in the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, Crimea, as well as the Zaporizhia and Kherson regions, has sparked intense debate within the realm of politics, international relations, and war-and-conflicts.
