Putin offers truce along Ukraine’s current front line

By Alisultan Sultanzade
April 23, 2025 00:51 Updated 39d ago
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Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly suggested halting his invasion at current front-line positions as part of a peace initiative with U.S. President Donald Trump.

The potential proposal would see Moscow withdraw its claims to areas of four Ukrainian regions still under Kyiv’s control. This marks the first formal signal in years that Putin may consider scaling back Russia’s territorial ambitions in Ukraine. However, European officials remain cautious, warning that such overtures may be a negotiating tactic rather than a genuine concession.

The U.S. has also floated its own framework for a settlement. Reports suggest Washington might recognize Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and acknowledge Moscow’s de facto control over parts of four Ukrainian regions. At the same time, Kyiv would pledge not to retake these territories by force. International peacekeeping forces could be deployed to monitor a demilitarized zone spanning the front line, while a non-NATO military presence could help maintain a fragile armistice.

In Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed that his country would not recognize Russia’s claims over Crimea. He noted that while there are discussions and signals from Washington, no formal proposals have been received. “If an official proposition came,” Zelenskyy said, “we will answer.”

As negotiations unfold, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has pulled out of upcoming talks in London, leaving envoy Keith Kellogg to represent Washington. Despite the uncertainty, both Trump and Putin have expressed a desire to reach an agreement soon, with Trump posting on social media that he hoped a deal could be struck within the week. Both Kyiv and Moscow have deep-seated conditions that will test any proposed compromise.

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