WSJ: Putin presented Trump with a "large-scale proposal" on Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin presented to the administration of American leader Donald Trump a "large-scale proposal" for a cease-fire on Ukraine, writes The Wall Street Journal. We are talking about Kiev's territorial concessions and international recognition of the lost territories in exchange for the cessation of hostilities.

Putin handed over the proposal on Wednesday, August 6, to Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, who came to Moscow. According to the newspaper, it caused "diplomatic battles." European officials have expressed serious doubts about Putin's proposal, which requires Ukraine to hand over Donbass in exchange for a cease-fire.

European and Ukrainian officials, with whom Trump and Witkoff held a series of telephone conversations, said they were concerned that Russia was trying to avoid new sanctions and duties from the United States in this way.

Earlier, Trump spoke of disappointment at the lack of progress in resolving the conflict on Ukraine and gave Russia first 50 days for a cease-fire, and then reduced the deadline to ten days. The deadline for the last ultimatum expired on Friday, August 8. The American leader threatened new sanctions and duties against Russia and its trading partners if progress is not made.

According to the interlocutors of the WSJ, Putin told Trump's envoy that he would agree to a cease-fire if Kiev withdraws troops from Donbass.

The first phone conversation involved Trump, Witkoff, Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. They, but without the head of the White House, took part in the second conversation on Thursday, they were also joined by Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg.

In a third phone call on Friday, Witkoff told European officials that Russia's proposal includes two stages. At the first stage, Ukraine should withdraw troops from Donbass, and the front lines will be frozen. This will be followed by the second stage, in which Putin and Trump will agree on a final peace plan. Subsequently, it will be discussed with Volodymyr Zelensky, European officials said. In November last year, the Kremlin ruled out freezing the conflict.

"The President (Vladimir Putin) has also already said that some option of freezing this conflict will not suit us. It is important for us to achieve our goals, which are well known to everyone," said presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

In Kiev, it was also reported that they would not go to freeze the conflict.

A Ukrainian official who participated in the conversation with Trump on Wednesday said that Kiev does not object to any proposals, but a cease-fire should be a prerequisite for any further steps.

White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt said Trump and his national security team are discussing "possible paths to peace" with their Ukrainian and European counterparts after the meeting between Putin and Witkoff.