Open-source maps indicate that Russian forces hold much of the Donbas, but Ukrainian troops have established strong defenses elsewhere in the region, which Kyiv is reluctant to abandon, fearing it would allow further invasion by Vladimir Putin.
Regarding the Donbas, Trump mentioned, “Let it be cut the way it is, it’s cut up right now. I think 78 percent of the land is already taken by Russia. You leave it the way it is right now, they can negotiate something later on down the line.”
In discussions with Zelenskyy in Washington, a source within the matter informed POLITICO that Trump initially suggested that Kyiv could cede territory to Moscow to end the conflict, while adding that “Americans said that Putin wants to keep fighting, and he has a strong war machine.”
However, Trump concluded the meeting by stating, “OK, let’s try to end this on the current line,” according to the source.
The Trump-Zelenskyy summit occurred a day following the American president’s announcement of a phone discussion with Putin, during which both agreed to resume peace negotiations with a meeting in Budapest. This caused concern among Ukrainian and European officials, fearing the American leader was being influenced by Kremlin narratives.
A separate account of the Friday meeting with Zelenskyy, reported by the Financial Times, detailed that Trump told the Ukrainian leader he could either accept Putin’s peace terms or risk being “destroyed” by Russia, leading to a heated conversation.
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