August 8, 2025 — Washington, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump announced Friday that he expects to meet soon with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a potential peace agreement aimed at ending the war in Ukraine—an agreement that may involve Ukraine relinquishing key territories.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, “I’ll be meeting very shortly with President Putin.” He suggested the meeting had been delayed due to ongoing security protocols but insisted that both leaders were eager to move forward. Trump also teased the announcement of a location for the talks, calling it a “popular” venue that would be disclosed “a little bit later.”
A Territorial Trade for Peace?
Western officials revealed that the U.S. has briefed both European and Ukrainian leaders on a proposal brought forth by Putin through Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, during a meeting in Moscow earlier this week. The plan reportedly demands Ukraine surrender the Donbas region—largely under Russian control—and Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, in exchange for a ceasefire.
The suggested deal would freeze the current front lines but left many specifics unresolved, including the status of other contested regions such as Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. The proposal also does not appear to address Russia’s insistence that Ukraine never join NATO or reduce the size of its military.
European leaders have voiced deep concern over the terms, warning that legitimizing territory gained by force could embolden future Russian aggression. “Recognizing land seized through violence without consequence risks encouraging similar actions in the future,” one European official said.
Trump’s Optimism and a Potential Summit
Despite those concerns, Trump appeared confident in the possibility of reaching an agreement. “We’re getting very close,” he said, indicating that the planned summit with Putin could take place as early as next week.
In the last 48 hours, further talks were held between U.S. and European officials, including conversations involving Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Witkoff reportedly laid out additional components of the proposed deal to European allies during Friday discussions.
Witkoff described the offer as a potential stepping stone toward a broader peace framework, contingent on halting active combat.
Ukraine’s Constitutional Barrier
A key obstacle remains Ukraine’s legal stance on territorial concessions. Under Ukrainian law, President Volodymyr Zelensky would need parliamentary approval or a nationwide referendum before agreeing to cede any part of the country. Nevertheless, Trump dismissed this as a procedural matter Zelensky could resolve swiftly.
“He’s not authorized to do certain things,” Trump said. “I told him, ‘You need to fix that fast—we’re close to a deal.’”
Earlier this week, Trump had threatened to impose new sanctions on Russia if hostilities didn’t cease by Friday. However, by Thursday, he softened his tone, suggesting it was ultimately Putin’s call whether the deadline would be enforced.
When asked if Putin would need to meet with Zelensky before engaging in a direct summit with Trump, the former president answered bluntly: “No, he doesn’t.”
The Road Ahead
While Trump reiterated that leaders on all sides—Putin, Zelensky, and European heads of state—are motivated to reach peace, the idea of Ukraine surrendering its sovereign territory remains a deeply divisive issue that could derail negotiations.
Still, Trump expressed hope: “My instinct really tells me that we have a shot at peace.”
— Adapted from reporting by CNN
