President Vladimir Putin reportedly agreed to allow Western forces into Ukraine if a peace agreement with Russia is reached, says the Wall Street Journal, citing former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Security Guarantees for Ukraine
President Trump informed European leaders that he is open to offering U.S. security guarantees to Ukraine. According to several European officials, this marks a significant shift in his stance on America’s role in ending the war, the Wall Street Journal reports on its website.
Trump said the President of Russia believes that any peace must include the presence of Western forces in Ukraine to ensure its durability.
Unofficial Reports on Putin’s Proposals
According to Reuters, during a meeting in Alaska, Putin conveyed Moscow’s expectations to Trump. “According to the proposed agreement, Russia would fully withdraw from the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions in exchange for a Russian commitment to freeze the front line in the southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia districts,” Reuters reported, citing its sources.
“Russia would be willing to return relatively small areas of Ukrainian land that were occupied in the northern Sumy and northeastern Kharkiv districts,” the U.S. source added. Putin also reiterated his opposition to Ukraine joining NATO.
Zelenski After Conversation with Donald Trump
In a statement on X, Zelenski said sanctions should be tightened if a trilateral meeting fails or if Russia tries to avoid a fair conclusion to the war. “Sanctions are an effective tool,” he said.
“Security must be guaranteed reliably and long‑term with both and the United States. All issues important to Ukraine must be discussed with Ukraine present, and no issue—especially territorial—can be decided without Ukraine,” he emphasized.
Zelenski’s Visit to Washington
On Monday, the Ukrainian President is scheduled to meet U.S. President Trump at the White House. Politico reports that Finland’s President Alexander Stubb and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte may also attend. According to Axios, a trilateral summit of Trump, Zelenski, and Putin could take place as early as Friday, August 22.
Kaynaklar: The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, IAR, Politico, Axios
