Sources say that U.S. President Donald Trump, following his meeting in Alaska with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, presented to European leaders a proposal to hand over the entire Ukrainian Donbas territory to Russia. This information was set out in The New York Times reports, relying on its own sources.
According to the sources, Trump is advancing the idea that if Volodymyr Zelensky agrees to hand over the remaining part of Donbas to Russia, a peace agreement could be reached more quickly. It is said that under this scenario a cease-fire would be instituted and security guarantees for Kyiv would apply. It is noted that officials have not yet announced an official decision on this matter; the information has been disseminated via sources.
It is known that on August 15 Trump held a meeting with Putin. It was reported that after the conversation he held telephone talks with Volodymyr Zelensky, leaders of EU countries, NATO Secretary General Mark Rygge, and European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen. According to analysts, these calls are seen as consistent moves aimed at quickly assessing the political landscape and coordinating next steps.
A meeting between Trump and Zelensky at the White House is scheduled for August 18. There are also reports that if the talks conclude successfully, Donald Trump has expressed a desire to organize as early as August 22 a three-party meeting with the participation of the presidents of Russia and Ukraine. If this proposal is carried out, a number of technical issues regarding the content, conditions, and timing of the format will need to be determined promptly.
However, the picture is complex: the issue of the entire territory of Donbas encompasses political, legal, and humanitarian factors. Debates regarding the principle of “territory for peace” can provoke sharp opinions both domestically and externally. How security guarantees for Kyiv would function, who would provide them and by what mechanisms — these questions remain open for now.
At the same time, the cease-fire initiative is mentioned as one of the most important links in the chain of events. If practical steps in this direction are launched step by step, the humanitarian situation may ease, and a “live corridor” may open for evacuation and recovery processes. However, it is also indicated that all of this is directly connected to trust between the parties, guarantees, and control mechanisms.
In the European capitals, it is said that every word of the proposal is being read under a magnifying glass. Consequently, the next steps are expected to take shape depending on how coordinated the positions are along the U.S.—EU—Ukraine axis and which “red lines” will be maintained in dialogue with Moscow. For now, attention is focused on the White House conversation on August 18, and thereafter on possible official statements regarding a three-party format.
In conclusion, the “territory in exchange for peace” formula around the Donbas issue has set off serious discussions. Whether the proposals voiced by sources will be implemented or not, today’s reflections may turn into a decision tomorrow or open the door to new questions. The most important point is that any political blueprint must be aligned with the human factor and with security guarantees.
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