Russian President Vladimir Putin has laid out new conditions for a potential peace deal with Ukraine. According to sources familiar with the matter, Putin’s proposal centers on Ukraine withdrawing from the Donbas region, staying out of NATO, and ensuring that Western troops are not deployed on its soil.
The details emerged after Putin’s three-hour closed-door meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska. Both leaders discussed possible compromises to end the ongoing war, although no concrete agreement was announced.
Reports suggest that Moscow is willing to halt its advances in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson if Ukraine gives up the parts of the Donbas it still holds. Russia currently controls about 88% of the Donbas and over 70% of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
In addition, the Kremlin is demanding NATO provide a legally binding pledge to stop further eastward expansion. Putin’s stance also includes restrictions on Ukraine’s military strength and a ban on foreign peacekeeping troops in the country.
Despite these proposals, Kyiv has strongly rejected the idea of ceding internationally recognized land. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the Donbas serves as a critical defense line against Russian advances. He also emphasized that NATO membership remains a strategic goal enshrined in Ukraine’s constitution.
Western allies remain cautious. U.S. officials and NATO have yet to comment on the reported terms, while European leaders have expressed doubt over Moscow’s willingness to compromise.
Experts argue that while Putin’s latest terms appear softer than previous demands, they remain unacceptable to Kyiv. The gap between both sides continues to prevent meaningful progress toward ending a war that has killed and displaced thousands.
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