Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected a proposal conveyed by US President Donald Trump on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The offer, made after Trump and Putin met at the Alaska summit, suggested halting fighting along current front lines if Kyiv ceded full control of Donetsk to Moscow. Zelenskyy turned down the proposal, reaffirming that Ukraine will not cede territory despite Russia already controlling about 20 percent of Ukrainian land, including nearly three-quarters of Donetsk.
Putin’s Offer through Trump
Trump served as the messenger of Putin’s plan during a private briefing with Zelenskyy after the Alaska talks. The summit lasted three hours and marked the first direct engagement between Washington and Moscow since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Trump pressed Kyiv to move toward peace with Moscow, saying Russia is “a very big power, and they’re not.”
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Trump’s Call for Direct Peace Agreement
Trump insisted that he and Putin agreed a peace settlement must come without a precondition of ceasefire. He argued ceasefire agreements often collapse, while peace agreements end wars. On Truth Social, Trump wrote that all parties determined a direct peace deal as the best way forward.
Zelenskyy’s Firm Rejection
Zelenskyy ruled out ceding territory, stressing that such a move requires constitutional changes. He underlined that Sloviansk and Kramatorsk remain key defensive hubs in Donetsk, stopping deeper Russian advances. He said Kyiv seeks a binding settlement and credible security guarantees, not another temporary pause.
European Reaction and Next Steps
European governments cautiously welcomed the talks but reaffirmed full support for Ukraine. They signaled tougher sanctions on Moscow and underscored that any peace must uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty. Zelenskyy acknowledged positive signals from the American side on security involvement, but he stressed Ukraine’s demand for lasting guarantees.
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Looking Ahead
Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet Trump in Washington on Monday. Senior European officials confirmed that European leaders will also take part. The meeting will test if a broader consensus can emerge on peace efforts while Russia keeps pressing its territorial claims.
