Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia wants to see an early end to the war in Ukraine through peaceful means.
Speaking after his talks with US President Donald Trump in Alaska, Putin stressed that Moscow respects Washington’s view on halting hostilities and is ready to explore solutions.
“Our conversation was very frank and brought us closer to the necessary decisions,” Putin said.
He further added that the Alaska meeting proved ‘timely and useful’, covering almost all aspects of Russia-US relations, including the Ukraine crisis.
During the talks, Putin demanded that Ukraine withdraw its forces from the eastern Donetsk region as a condition for Moscow to end the war. He indicated that Russia could freeze the frontline elsewhere if this demand is met.
According to media reports, Trump relayed Putin’s position to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders on Saturday, urging them to reconsider their push for a ceasefire.
Russia has maintained partial control over Donetsk for more than a decade. Putin argued that full control over the region would secure Moscow’s strategic advances since last November.
Wider Conditions & NATO Concerns
Putin reiterated his longstanding position that the ‘root causes’ of the conflict must be addressed. Chief among these is an end to NATO’s eastward expansion and a bar on Ukraine joining the alliance.
Putin reportedly stays firm on this point but shows willingness to compromise on certain territorial matters if his primary security concerns are resolved. He told Trump that Russia wanted control of Donetsk and Luhansk.
In return, Moscow would halt further offensives and freeze the frontline in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
Currently, Russian forces control around 70 per cent of Donetsk, while Ukraine retains a defensive line of key cities in the west of the region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly rejected territorial concessions. He insists that Ukraine will not trade away any part of its territory and will not undergo a second partition.
Zelenskyy will meet Trump in Washington on Monday to focus on Putin’s demands.
The Alaska talks between Putin and Trump lasted about three hours but ended without a breakthrough. Both sides acknowledged the importance of dialogue but confirmed they had reached no agreement.
Despite the lack of immediate progress, the meeting has reopened diplomatic engagement on the Ukraine conflict. It signals that negotiations, however challenging, remain on the table.
Also Read: Putin Highlights 20% Rise In Russia-US Trade Under Trump; Offers Broader Cooperation
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