What new offer did Putin make regarding the Ukraine war?

Putin has offered to end the war in Ukraine on the condition that Ukraine relinquishes full control over the strategic Donetsk region, along with a willingness to concede parts of the Zaporizhia and Kherson regions.

Why is this offer considered significant?

This offer is viewed as a step towards progress by some U.S. officials, as it represents a retreat from previous Russian demands, suggesting a potential shift in the negotiation dynamics.

Who are the key figures involved in this negotiation?

The key figures involved include Russian President Vladimir Putin, American President Donald Trump, and Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff.

What has been the reaction from European diplomats regarding Putin's offer?

A senior European diplomat described the offer as unreasonable from Kyiv's perspective, suggesting that it resembles selling away Ukrainian territory for nothing in return.

What is the status of the Donetsk region in the conflict?

The Donetsk region is a sensitive area in the conflict, heavily influenced by Moscow-backed separatists since 2014, and Russia demands its annexation while Ukraine insists on maintaining territorial integrity.

What are Trump's plans following this offer?

Trump plans to meet Putin in Hungary in the coming weeks to continue discussions about ending the war, though he has not publicly commented on the Russian offer yet.

Putin's Condition to End the Ukraine War .. Will Trump Accept?

In a surprising political development, two senior American officials revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a new offer to American President Donald Trump to end the war in Ukraine, with one condition described as "less than previous offers".

According to the Washington Post, citing the two officials familiar with the details of the recent phone call between the two leaders, Putin conditioned Ukraine's relinquishment of full control over the strategic Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine in exchange for ending the war that has been ongoing for more than three years.

* An Offer Less Than Before

The officials noted that the Russian offer also included Putin's willingness to concede parts of the Zaporizhia and Kherson regions, which are partially controlled by Moscow, in exchange for full control of Donetsk, which was seen as a retreat from previous Russian demands made during the Anchorage summit in Alaska last August.

This new proposal was considered by some White House officials as a step towards progress, despite major reservations within the U.S. administration.

One official said: "Some see it as a tangible progress, but others do not share this optimism".

* European Diplomat: "Selling from Their Own Bag"

In contrast, a senior European diplomat described the Russian offer as unreasonable from Kyiv's perspective, stating:

"What Putin is asking is like selling them from their own bag, for nothing in return".

The diplomat pointed out that the offer shows Putin's insistence on his core demands, which have complicated the negotiation process, despite the optimistic tone that Trump has recently adopted.

* American Pressure on Kyiv

In a notable development, the officials revealed that Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, exerted pressure on the Ukrainian delegation during a meeting held last Friday at the White House to seriously consider conceding Donetsk, noting that the region has a Russian-speaking majority.

* Trump Plans to Meet Putin in Hungary

For his part, Trump has not publicly commented on the Russian offer yet, but he announced last Friday his intention to meet Putin in Hungary in the coming weeks to continue discussions about ending the war.

In press statements, Trump said that Putin "wants peace", in what seems to be a shift in his tone towards the Russian president after a period of sharp remarks.

* The White House and Kremlin Remain Silent

So far, there has been no official comment from the White House or the Kremlin regarding the details of this call or the Russian offer.

* Background:

The Donetsk region is considered one of the most sensitive areas in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, and it has been one of the main strongholds of Moscow-backed separatists since 2014. Russia demands its official annexation, while Kyiv insists on the integrity of its territory and rejects any division or concession.