The US and Russia are now discussing a ceasefire deal that would cement Moscow’s control over Crimea and eastern Donbas. The proposed Trump-Putin summit plan envisions freezing fighting on the southern front but leaves issues like the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant unresolved, while requiring Ukraine to withdraw from parts of Luhansk and Donetsk regions.
As per proposal brought by Witkoff from Moscow, Putin has said he would agree to a ceasefire in exchange for Ukraine handing over roughly one-third of the eastern Donetsk region that Kyiv still controls.
As part of the proposal, Putin said his government would pass a law pledging not to attack Ukraine or Europe.
Europe and Ukraine have rejected the proposal, No Territory Will Be Surrendered.
European states and Ukraine agreed today at a meeting in the UK on a counterproposal for a ceasefire, undermining the Kremlin’s demands.
The new plan includes:
Immediate ceasefire — before any further negotiations. No unilateral concessions — only mutual territorial exchanges. Firm security guarantees for Kyiv, including the possibility of joining NATO.
(PS: I had mentioned in my opinion piece yesterday, ceasefire is round the corner. Hectic backdoor negotiations are on with Putin talking to all his friends. Putin called up Xi and Modi and other leaders.)
Ministry of External Affairs, India don’t burn any of your bridges, anymore. You never know when you have to cross them again.
