Key Facts
• August 15, 2025: Trump and Putin held a summit in Alaska.
• Trump proposed Ukraine cede Donbas (Donetsk, Luhansk) to Russia to end invasion.
• Russia controls all of Luhansk but only 25% of Donetsk (6,500 sq. km).
• Putin offered a ceasefire and written assurance against further attacks on Ukraine and Europe.
• Trump did not discuss additional sanctions on Russia during calls with European leaders.
• NATO will not provide security guarantees; Europe will lead security efforts.
• Putin requested Russian be reinstated as an official language in Ukraine.
• Trump plans to discuss the proposal with Zelensky at the White House on August 18.
• European leaders strongly oppose ceding Donbas to Russia.
• Russia also seeks protection for the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine.
Summary
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed support for a plan to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by ceding the Donbas region to Russia. Following an August 15 summit in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump proposed that Ukraine withdraw its military from Donetsk and Luhansk in exchange for a ceasefire and written guarantees against further aggression. European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly oppose the plan, citing concerns over territorial sovereignty. Trump is set to discuss the proposal with Zelensky and European leaders at the White House on August 18. Putin also requested the reinstatement of Russian as an official language in Ukraine and protection for the Russian Orthodox Church. The plan excludes NATO security guarantees, with Europe expected to lead security efforts. The situation remains contentious, with no consensus reached.
