According to a report by Reuters citing sources familiar with the matter, Vladimir Putin is open to discussing with Donald Trump regarding a ceasefire deal concerning conflict between Russia and Ukraine. However, the proposal is limited to Ukraine abandoning its NATO application, with no mention of returning any significant territorial concessions.
Currently, Russia controls four eastern regions of Ukraine: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.
In the initial comprehensive disclosure outlining President Putin’s potential acceptance of terms in a deal facilitated by Trump, who is expected to return to the White House in 2025, five present and past Russian officials disclosed that the Kremlin may be willing to generally consent to a freeze of the conflict along the front lines.
Trump has touted his ability to end the conflict, claiming he will negotiate directly with Putin. However, the specifics of his plan remain unclear, and his efforts may face complications, particularly due to U.S. President Joe Biden’s recent decision to allow Ukraine to use American weapons to target Russian territory, escalating tensions.
In June, Putin demanded that the war end if Ukraine abandons its NATO bid and withdraws troops from the four regions. In contrast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy affirmed that Ukraine will persist until every remaining Russian soldier is removed from its territory.
Additionally, expert and Soviet defector Dimitri Simes stated that while a ceasefire agreement could potentially be reached swiftly, securing a lasting peace deal between the two nations would be extremely challenging.
