Reports suggest that a large part of the Donbas region, a crucial area in eastern Ukraine, will be handed over to Russia under the joint vision of US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Trump-Putin summit in Alaska has paved the way for these crucial developments. In return for conceding large portions of Donbas to Russia, including territories still controlled by Ukraine, Washington has offered “NATO-style” protection to the remaining Ukrainian lands. Trump is expected to pressure President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept this deal. Until such an agreement is signed, the war is set to continue.
Indications are that Ukraine may lose several provinces as part of Trump’s proposed peace framework. The US has already invited Zelensky to the White House to formalise the arrangement. Russia, meanwhile, is celebrating and Kremlin is convinced that it has secured everything it demanded without ending the war.
While Trump scolds the world about trading with Russia & funding its war in Ukraine, Putin says, “Since the US new administration came to power, US-Russia bilateral trade has grown by 20%.” pic.twitter.com/eb9GDyE5kN
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) August 16, 2025
For Ukraine, this marks a deep dilemma. The prospect of losing vital provinces threatens its territorial integrity and sovereignty. Zelensky faces the critical question of whether to comply with Trump’s instructions or stand firm against concessions. President Zelensky is preparing to fly to Washington, but his position remains uncertain. He has made it clear that he will not give up Donetsk, the epicentre of the conflict since 2014. At the same time, he has expressed readiness to enter into negotiations on the broader issues. However, amid the power play of global superpowers, Ukraine’s sovereignty increasingly appears to be at risk. Zelensky’s diplomatic manoeuvres seems to be limited in the face of Trump and Putin’s decisions, leaving him with little room for independent action.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has refused to make concessions, presenting his maximum demands at the Alaska summit. Moscow is jubilant after Trump failed to secure either a ceasefire or the lifting of sanctions during high-level talks. Western media note that Russia believes it holds a decisive upper hand.
Trump entered the talks issuing stern warnings, insisting he would not return without a ceasefire and threatening “serious consequences” if Moscow refused to cooperate. Yet after three hours of discussions that yielded no concrete progress, however, he set aside his threats and declared the meeting “very beneficial.” Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev hailed the outcome, writing on Telegram that the summit showed “talks are possible without preconditions,” even as the war continues. Putin, for his part, demanded Ukraine relinquish both Donetsk and Luhansk if peace was to be considered. Luhansk is already under full Russian control, but Ukraine still holds significant portions of Donetsk, including key cities such as Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, as well as heavily fortified areas. Russia has made clear that only after Donetsk and Luhansk are surrendered it will halt further advances in southern regions like Kherson and Zaporizhia.
President Trump and President Putin are currently riding together in The Beast.
What a historic photo. What a historic moment. pic.twitter.com/DUgjVuLDf6
— Cillian (@CilComLFC) August 15, 2025
Despite the pressure, Zelensky has consistently reaffirmed that Ukraine will not cede any of its territory. His government insists that the defence of Ukraine’s borders is non-negotiable. European allies have also echoed this stance, supporting Kyiv’s sovereignty and territorial claims. Still, if Trump remains firm on backing Putin’s demands, Zelensky could be pushed into an extremely defensive position. For Ukraine, the prospect of losing vast areas of land under the guise of “peace efforts” could mark one of the most significant blows since the war began.
The Alaska summit has thus underscored a new and difficult reality. While superpower negotiations continue, Ukraine itself risks being sidelined. With Russia strengthening its offensive in the east and Washington pressing for compromise, the question of Ukraine’s sovereignty has become more precarious than ever. Whether Zelensky can withstand the dual pressure of Trump’s demands and Putin’s ambitions, will decide the next phase of this prolonged and devastating conflict.
