Key Facts
• August 16: Financial Times reports Putin demands Ukraine withdraw from two eastern regions.
• Trump suggests Ukraine cede Donetsk and Luhansk to Russia for a peace agreement.
• Putin offers a written promise to cease attacks on remaining Ukrainian territories.
• August 18: Zelensky to meet Trump in Washington, prioritizing a ceasefire.
• Axios reports Trump proposes a three-way meeting with Zelensky and Putin on August 22.
• Details on the meeting’s location remain undisclosed; Putin has not confirmed participation.
Summary
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly proposed a peace deal involving Ukraine ceding its eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions to Russia. In return, Russian President Vladimir Putin would provide a written guarantee to cease further attacks on Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, set to meet Trump on August 18, faces a challenging decision as he prioritizes a ceasefire. Trump has also expressed interest in hosting a three-way meeting with Zelensky and Putin on August 22, though details remain unclear, and Putin has yet to confirm his participation.
