Donald Trump Says Ukraine May Need to Concede Territory for Peace Deal
Putin Reportedly Seeks Control of Key Regions in Exchange for Ceasefire
U.S. President Donald Trump has described his high stakes summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin as “productive,” revealing that the two leaders discussed major territorial and security concessions as part of a potential peace deal to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“A lot of points were agreed on,” Trump told reporters following the closed-door meeting held in Alaska. “Ukraine has to make a deal. Russia is a very big power and they’re not.”
According to Trump, discussions included land transfers and security guarantees, with a framework for a broader peace initiative “largely agreed” upon during the summit.
While details remain classified, sources close to the talks report that President Putin is demanding formal control over key eastern and southern Ukrainian territories regions already occupied or contested by Russian forces in exchange for a ceasefire and possible withdrawal from other areas.
No Ceasefire Yet, But Groundwork Laid
Despite no formal agreement being signed, both sides described the meeting as constructive. Trump has now placed pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to join the next round of trilateral discussions, possibly hosted in Washington, D.C.
“Now it’s really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done,” Trump said in a post-summit interview. “They’re going to set up a meeting now between President Zelenskyy, President Putin, and myself.”
Trump declined to elaborate on the specific regions Putin is seeking, but multiple sources suggest the demands involve Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Crimea areas Russia has long claimed or annexed.
Context & Reactions
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Ukraine has repeatedly rejected any territorial concessions, insisting that peace must come through full sovereignty restoration.
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NATO allies have voiced concern over any settlement that legitimizes Russia’s occupation.
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Human rights groups warn that any rushed agreement may ignore the long-term consequences for Ukrainian civilians under occupation.
The Trump–Putin meeting is already stirring geopolitical waves, raising both hopes for de-escalation and fears of forced compromises.

