According to a person familiar with the talks, Russia has proposed that Ukraine relinquish the entire Donbas region—including Luhansk and Donetsk—in exchange for a ceasefire. Moscow also seeks formal recognition of its annexation of Crimea and control over strategic areas in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

The proposal emerged after a three-hour meeting in Moscow between Putin and Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Putin’s offer as the first to include “concrete examples” of Russian demands to end the war.

Trump said territory swaps could be to the “betterment of both” sides but acknowledged Zelensky faces constitutional limits on ceding land. Russia has resisted direct talks with Zelensky, rejecting the idea of a three-way summit.

European Concerns And Negotiation Risks

European leaders have voiced alarm at the prospect of Trump and Putin imposing terms on Ukraine without Kyiv’s full participation. Analysts say Russia’s recent battlefield gains have emboldened Moscow to push for maximalist terms, including demilitarization of Ukraine and guarantees it will not join NATO.

The Alaska summit location was chosen partly to avoid issues related to the International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Putin. While a follow-up meeting in Russia has been proposed, officials say the immediate focus is ensuring the Alaska talks produce tangible results.