The United States and Russia are aiming to secure a peace deal that would lock in Russia’s gains in Ukraine following its invasion three and a half years ago, according to a report by Bloomberg.
The deal would mean Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky giving up the entire eastern Donbas, Crimea and parts of Luhansk and Donetsk, where fighting is still raging, unnamed sources told Bloomberg.
Newsweek reached out to the U.S. State Department, as well as the Russian and Ukrainian foreign affairs ministries for comment via email on Friday.
Why It Matters
If confirmed, such a deal would represent a huge win for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who launched the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 with the stated goal of “liberating” the Donbas, despite concerns and condemnation from global leaders who viewed the war as unprovoked and unjustified.
The conflict has continued for years as Russia has struggled to make more substantial gains in Ukraine after its initial progress. However, peace deals have also stalled as Russian and Ukrainian leaders have not reached a consensus on key sticking points, such as whether Russia should keep its seized Ukrainian territory.
What To Know
Ukraine has not agreed to the proposed deal, Bloomberg reported. Putin and President Donald Trump are expected to meet for talks next week.
The U.S. is working to build support from Ukraine and allies in Europe, according to the report, which noted that is “far from certain.”
Under the proposal, Ukraine would have to remove troops from the eastern Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Donetsk, while Russia would end offensive operations in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, Bloomberg reported. The report also noted that it is unclear whether Moscow would give up any land it currently occupies.
Trump’s return to office in January marked a shift from the Biden administration’s approach to the conflict, defined by an unwavering support for Ukraine, which has maintained that Russia could not win any of its territory.
In July, Trump gave Putin a 50-day deadline to reach a ceasefire in Ukraine but has since said he would reduce that to a “lesser number” and that he is “very disappointed” in Putin as Moscow has not relented its attacks on Ukraine.
VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday after U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff’s meeting with Putin: “Great progress was made! Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies. Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come.”
The Kremlin wrote in a statement, according to Russian state media: “Putin conveyed some signals to the United States on the Ukrainian issue. Corresponding signals were also received from President Trump.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement: “The Russians expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the president is open to meeting with both President Putin and President Zelensky. President Trump wants this brutal war to end.”
What Happens Next?
Full details of the reported proposal have not been released ahead of an upcoming meeting between Trump and Putin. Trump said this week that Putin does not have to meet with Zelensky as a condition to their sit-down.
Update 8/8/2025 11:52 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
