Alaska: Russian President Vladimir Putin set a Ukraine withdrawal condition during talks with US President Donald Trump in Alaska, demanding Ukrainian forces withdraw from eastern Donetsk before considering war termination.
According to a report, Putin indicated he would consider ending the conflict if Ukraine removed its military from the eastern Donetsk region. The Russian leader also suggested he could halt advances on other fronts if his demands were met.
The report stated that Trump contacted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders after the discussions to inform them about Putin’s Ukraine withdrawal condition. The talks highlighted the disputed nature of Donetsk, where Russia has maintained control over parts of the region for the past decade.
If Putin’s condition is accepted, Russia would gain complete control over the contested territory. The demand represents a significant territorial concession that would formalise Russian gains in the eastern Ukrainian region.
Putin offers territorial freeze as Ukraine withdrawal condition includes NATO restrictions
Putin reportedly proposed an alternative arrangement alongside the Ukraine withdrawal condition. He stated that receiving Donetsk would lead him to stabilise fronts in southern Ukraine’s Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, meaning Russian forces would cease new attacks and territorial expansion attempts there.
However, Putin clarified to Trump that his most crucial condition for ending the conflict remains unchanged. He emphasised that NATO must not expand further eastward, specifically excluding Ukraine from NATO membership.
The Russian president indicated readiness to negotiate other issues if assured of NATO expansion limitations. This represents Putin’s longstanding opposition to Western military alliance growth toward Russian borders.
The Ukraine withdrawal condition discussions occurred during the Friday night Alaska meeting between Putin and Trump, where both leaders focused on ending the Ukraine conflict through diplomatic means.
