Putin open to Ukraine ceasefire talks with Trump but rules out territorial concessions
Vladimir Putin is willing to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump but will not make major territorial concessions. He insists Ukraine must abandon its NATO ambitions. Russia currently controls significant territory in Ukraine, advancing rapidly. Putin's terms include freezing the conflict along current front lines and possibly negotiating the division of four eastern regions. He has expressed concerns about a temporary truce allowing Ukraine to rearm, complicating potential negotiations. Russia controls about 18% of Ukraine, including Crimea and parts of the Donbas region. A ceasefire deal could be framed as a victory for Russia, but the future of Crimea remains non-negotiable.