Putin hints to Trump: readiness to cede regions in exchange for Donetsk raises concerns
In a recent episode of diplomatic maneuvering between major global powers and Ukraine, Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, made a public yet subtly concealed hint regarding a possible compromise in military and political matters.
According to reputable American publication The Washington Post, during a phone conversation with his counterpart – U.S.
President Donald Trump – Putin allegedly expressed a desire to shift the geopolitical balance in the region.
He implied that he demands complete control over Donetsk, a key and strategically important region in eastern Ukraine, one of the main conflict hotspots.
To achieve this, he hinted that he is willing to relinquish parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, according to sources cited in the publication.
Analysts see this as a slight advance compared to previous Kremlin positions, which called for full occupation or annexation of those regions.
However, some officials and diplomatic experts are skeptical about how Ukraine’s leadership and public will perceive such proposals, noting that any compromises could deepen internal tensions and undermine efforts to restore territorial integrity.
Notably, information emerged that Trump’s envoy – Steve Vitkoff – pressured the Ukrainian delegation to surrender Donetsk, arguing that most of its population is Russian-speaking.
Such approaches exacerbate social and political tensions, complicating the search for a compromise that takes into account Ukraine’s national interests and citizens’ welfare.