Crimea recognition, eastern Ukraine autonomy, language control: Putin’s price for peace — and what Russia promises in return

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signalled he would agree to halt Russia’s war in Ukraine, but only under conditions that would force Kyiv to give up large areas of territory and recognise Moscow’s hold over Crimea, according to multiple reports.The proposals, discussed during a summit with US President Donald Trump at an air force base in Alaska, would mark the first time since 2022 that Russia has set out terms directly in front of Washington. Trump later described the meeting as “very productive” and insisted he and Putin had “largely agreed” on a framework for peace.However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that concessions on territory are unacceptable and has instead pressed for “ironclad security guarantees” ahead of his planned meeting with Trump in Washington on August 18.

Land-for-peace proposal and Crimea recognition

Reuters reported that Putin’s plan would see Ukraine withdraw fully from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, while Russia pledged to freeze advances in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. In return, Moscow would relinquish small pockets of territory it occupies in northern Sumy and Kharkiv.Here are the Russian demands, as reported by Reuters:

Ukraine would also be barred from NATO membership, though alternative “Article 5-style” security guarantees are under discussion, European officials told AFP.

According to the New York Times, Trump briefed European leaders that Putin demanded Ukraine “leave Donbas entirely”, aligning with Moscow’s long-standing position. The Financial Times reported that Putin privately told Trump he could halt fighting if his “core demands” were met.

European unease and Zelenskyy’s stance

European leaders were left uneasy. Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt wrote that the Alaska meeting was “a distinct win for Putin...

a distinct setback for Trump.” Fiona Hill, a former US national security official, argued Trump had emerged weaker: “He came out of the meeting without a ceasefire — the one thing he had been pushing for.”For Kyiv, the deal remains untenable. Zelenskyy has repeatedly said Ukraine’s constitution prevents ceding land and warned that Donbas could become a launchpad for further Russian aggression. Still, he has left the door open to a three-way summit with Trump and Putin.Putin, meanwhile, praised what he called “very frank” talks and welcomed Trump’s willingness to “seek a speedy end to military actions.” Yet as AFP noted, Russia continued drone and missile strikes on Ukraine even during the Alaska summit, underscoring the fragility of any negotiation.