Ukraine to lose Donbas? Trump to reportedly host Putin-Zelenskyy trilateral before August 22; Russia firm on 'core demands'

US President Donald Trump is preparing for a trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy before August 22, according to two sources quoted by Axios. The talks, which could take place in Washington, come amid claims that Kyiv may be pressed to cede control of the Donbas region in exchange for a wider peace agreement.

According to The New York Times, Trump proposed a plan to European leaders after his summit with Putin in Alaska, suggesting Ukraine would surrender the remainder of Donbas, including areas not yet seized by Russian forces, in return for a ceasefire and security guarantees. The newspaper cited senior European officials who said Trump appeared to align with Putin’s long-standing demand that Kyiv leave Donbas entirely.

Also read: Why Putin was the real winner during meet with Donald Trump

Agence France-Presse (AFP), citing a source familiar with the talks, reported that “Putin de facto demands that Ukraine leave Donbas” and that “Trump is inclined to support it”. The source added that if Russia’s demands were met, Moscow would freeze its offensive in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, though this would “depend on Putin’s word of honour”.

The Financial Times reported that Putin told Trump he could halt fighting along the frontline if his “core demands were met”, with Trump relaying the message to European leaders on Saturday.

Zelenskyy rejects concessions but open to summit
Zelenskyy has consistently rejected ceding territory, arguing that Ukraine’s constitution prevents it and warning that Donbas could be used as a launchpad for further Russian aggression. However, he has not ruled out discussing the issue at a three-way summit.

After a phone call with Trump on Saturday, Zelenskyy said the two would meet at the White House on Monday to discuss “all the details regarding ending the killing and the war”. He also reiterated the need for European leaders to be involved to provide “ironclad security guarantees”.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told ZDF television that Trump indicated Russia was ready to negotiate along the current “line of contact” rather than official borders, though it remained unclear how this would affect Ukraine’s territorial claims.

Putin praises “frank” talks with Trump

Putin described his meeting with Trump as “very frank” and said Moscow respected Washington’s efforts to seek “a speedy end to military actions”. Analysts noted that the summit allowed Putin to step back onto the global stage after years of diplomatic isolation.

Despite Trump’s optimism, no formal agreement emerged from the Alaska summit. “We had an extremely productive meeting,” Trump said, but added, “There’s no deal until there’s a deal.”