Claim: Putin may freeze fronts in Ukraine in exchange for Donetsk

The UK-based Financial Times newspaper claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin could agree to freeze certain fronts in the Russia-Ukraine war if his fundamental demands are met. During his meeting with US President Donald Trump yesterday in the US state of Alaska, Putin said that one of the necessary conditions for ending the war is for the Ukrainian army to withdraw from the Donetsk region, which is partially under Russian control. The Russian leader stated that in exchange for leaving control of the Donetsk region to Russia, the fronts in the southern Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions could be frozen.

PROPOSAL FOR SECURITY GUARANTEES

An unnamed European diplomat also stated that during the meeting, Trump proposed that the US provide security guarantees for Ukraine similar to NATO's Article 5, which legitimizes support from other members for the defense of a member state if it is attacked. An unnamed US diplomat stated in their remarks that NATO would not interfere with these guarantees.

SUPPORT FROM ITALY

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in a written statement regarding the Trump-Putin meeting, referred to the US proposal, saying, "The main issue remains security guarantees that will prevent further Russian occupations, and the most interesting developments in Anchorage (Alaska) occurred on this point. Only solid and reliable guarantees in this regard can prevent new wars and attacks. In this context, President Trump reiterated Italy's idea of security guarantees today, inspired by NATO's Article 5. The starting point of the proposal is the definition of a collective security clause that will ensure Ukraine benefits from the support of all its partners, including the US, and is ready for intervention if it is attacked again."

TRUMP: WE ARE QUITE CLOSE

Following his meeting with Putin, the US President made exclusive statements to the US-based Fox News television channel, saying during the program that he had discussed the transfer of territory and security guarantees for Ukraine with Putin and that they had largely reached an agreement on these issues. Trump stated, "I think we are quite close to a deal. But Ukraine also needs to accept this. Maybe they will say 'no'."

The US President also indicated that achieving peace would now depend on Ukraine and the European countries that need to be involved in the process, saying, "Russia is a great power. They (Ukraine) are not." When asked what kind of proposal he would make to Ukrainian President Zelensky, Trump replied, "He needs to make a deal."

In a statement on his social media account, Trump said, "Everyone has concluded that the best way to end the terrible war between Russia and Ukraine is a peace deal that directly ends the war, and that a simple ceasefire agreement, which often does not work, is not enough."

Zelensky, in a statement on his social media account, reported that he held a meeting with Trump and subsequently with European leaders following the meeting between the US President and the Russian leader. In his post, the Ukrainian leader announced that he would go to the US to meet with Trump, saying, "On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington D.C. to discuss all the details regarding ending the massacre and the war. I am grateful for your invitation. It is important that Europeans, together with the US, are involved in the process at every stage to provide reliable security guarantees. We also discussed the positive signals given by the US side regarding participation in ensuring Ukraine's security. We continue to coordinate our positions with all our partners. I thank everyone who is helping."

News Source: İHA