Trump Relays Putin’s Donetsk Demand to Zelenskyy, Who Firmly Rejects It, Calling Russia “A Very Big Power”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has turned down a proposal reportedly relayed by US President Donald Trump from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Which would have required Ukraine to give up full control of the Donetsk region in exchange for a halt to fighting along current front-line positions. The offer was discussed during a private briefing after Trump’s three-hour meeting with Putin in Alaska on Friday, marking the first direct talks between Washington and Moscow since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Trump described Russia as “a very big power” and suggested that Ukraine move toward a peace settlement without insisting on a ceasefire, a condition Ukraine and European allies have consistently demanded.

According to Reuters sources, Zelenskyy rejected the proposal. Russia currently holds about 20% of Ukrainian territory, including nearly three-quarters of Donetsk, which it first occupied in 2014. Trump later posted on Truth Social, stating that all parties agreed the “best way to end the horrific war” was through a direct peace agreement rather than a temporary ceasefire, which often fails to hold.

Zelenskyy emphasized that any ceding of territory would require constitutional changes and highlighted key defensive hubs in Donetsk, such as Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, that continue to block Russian advances. He also called for binding security guarantees to protect Ukraine from future attacks.

Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet Trump in Washington on Monday, with European leaders expected to participate. European governments have cautiously welcomed the talks, reaffirmed support for Ukraine, and indicated plans for tougher sanctions on Moscow, stressing that any agreement must uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty.