US President Donald Trump is considering a controversial proposal that would see parts of eastern Ukraine handed over to Russia as part of a peace deal.
The plan comes ahead of a high-stakes summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled for August 15, 2025, in Alaska, aimed at finding an end to the war that began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Trump has suggested that, for lasting peace, both Ukraine and Russia may have to give up some territory. He noted that Russia already controls important and resource-rich areas in eastern Ukraine, including parts of the Donbas region and Crimea, which it annexed in 2014. Reports indicate that the proposal could allow Russia to keep these territories while Ukraine would have to give up additional areas such as Kherson and Zaporizhia, which are currently contested or under partial Russian control.
The idea of giving away Ukrainian land has caused alarm among residents of eastern Ukraine, many of whom have suffered years of violence and displacement. Local leaders fear that any formal recognition of Russian control would cement Moscow’s hold on the region and permanently weaken Ukraine’s sovereignty.
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While the White House says it is ready to help broker serious talks between Ukraine and Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected any settlement that involves ceding territory. European leaders have also warned that unity against Russia must be maintained and that Ukraine’s borders should remain intact.
Trump described the upcoming Alaska meeting as a “feel-out session” to gauge Putin’s willingness to negotiate. Although he has said the United States hopes to help Ukraine reclaim some territory, he has also hinted that territorial swaps might be unavoidable. He plans to update Zelensky and European allies after the talks and has suggested follow-up meetings involving all sides.
Meanwhile, Russian forces have reportedly made new gains near Donetsk, adding urgency to the diplomatic push. The fighting continues with artillery strikes, drone attacks, and civilian casualties, highlighting the ongoing human and political cost of the conflict.
As the summit approaches, the world is watching closely to see whether Trump’s proposal leads to a genuine breakthrough or whether the war will drag on, claiming more lives and land.
CNN
