Putin Demands Ukrainian Withdrawal from Donetsk, Offers to Freeze Southern Front in Exchange for Territorial Concessions

According to a report by the Financial Times cited by Jinse Finance, Putin has demanded that Ukraine withdraw its troops from the Donetsk region as a condition for ending the conflict. He told Trump that if his core demands are met, he would be willing to freeze fighting in other frontline areas. Four people directly familiar with the talks revealed that Putin made this request during a meeting with Trump in Alaska on Friday. Subsequently, during a call on Saturday, Trump conveyed this message to Zelensky and leaders of various European countries, urging them to abandon efforts to persuade Moscow to agree to a ceasefire. Three sources familiar with the discussions stated that in exchange for Ukraine relinquishing the Donetsk region, Putin said he would freeze the frontlines in the southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions (where Russian forces control large areas) and would not launch new offensives to seize more territory. People familiar with Zelensky’s thinking said he would not agree to give up Donetsk, but is willing to discuss territorial issues with Trump in Washington—the two are expected to meet in Washington on Monday. (Jin10)