Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to stop his invasion of Ukraine at the current battle lines as part of potential peace talks with the U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a Financial Times report published Tuesday.
The report, which cites unnamed sources familiar with the situation, says Putin made this offer during a meeting with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg earlier this month.
According to three sources who knew about the talks, Putin indicated Russia might give up its claims to parts of four partially occupied Ukrainian regions that Ukraine still controls.
This is a major change in position. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, Ukraine has refused any direct talks with the Kremlin, BusinessDay reports.
This new openness comes after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to walk away from peace negotiations if “either side” kept blocking the ceasefire process. Trump also posted on Truth Social Monday that he hoped Ukraine and Russia would make a deal this week.
Trump previously promised to end the war within his first 100 days back in office, by April 30.
On Wednesday, Ukrainian officials and European allies will meet with U.S. representatives in London to discuss a Washington-backed ceasefire plan.
