In Washington D.C., an important meeting was held on Tuesday morning between U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and seven European leaders. This summit fuels hope for an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict that has persisted for three and a half years. Although peace looms on the horizon, Ukraine may have to pay a heavy price.
Trump’s public statements suggest a willingness to align with Russia’s stance that territories seized during the war by President Vladimir Putin's forces should be handed over to Russia as part of a peace dialogue.
Previously, Trump hinted at surrender, suggesting to Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy that the war could end immediately if he chose, or the fight could continue.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict began in February 2022, with Russia currently controlling about one-fifth of Ukraine. The map below shows the current state of battlegrounds in Ukraine.
Source: aajtak
Last Saturday, Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a summit in Alaska. Details emerging from U.S. media indicate Russia’s terms for ending the conflict include ceding only small portions of northern Ukraine while expecting Ukraine to surrender large parts of the Luhansk and Donetsk provinces. Russia has yet to fully seize these areas.
Source: aajtak
In return, Russia will stabilize front lines in the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia and hand back a few small territories in northern Sumy and north-eastern Kharkiv.
The American think-tank, Institute for the Study of War, reports Russia holds small patches of land in Sumy and Kharkiv totaling about 440 square kilometers. Ukraine controls around 6,600 square kilometers in Donbas, comprising Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which Russia demands.
Media reports also mention that Russia seeks formal acknowledgment of its sovereignty over Crimea. In 2014, Russia captured Crimea from Ukraine during the conflict.
Source: aajtak
Currently, Russia controls approximately 114,500 square kilometers (44,600 square miles) or 19% of Ukraine, including Crimea and a large portion of the east and southeast of the country. Ukraine has not gained control of any Russian territory.
Putin's war objective has been to seize control over partially occupied areas: Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, while Ukraine insists it won't recognize Russia's claim over its land, echoed by most nations recognizing Ukraine within its 1991 borders.
Source: aajtak
Russia controls about 46,570 square km or 88% of the eastern Ukraine's Donbas region, including about 76% of the Luhansk and Donetsk area.
Approximately 6,600 square km of Donbas remains under Ukraine’s control, where Russia’s focus is currently on Donetsk. Russian troops are advancing towards key Donetsk cities like Pokrovsk and Charsiv Yar.
In 2014, Donbas saw a split as Russia-backed separatists declared parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions as independent republics, breaking away from Ukrainian government control.
Source: aajtak
Russian forces command about 74% of southeastern Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia and Kherson areas, holding approximately 41,176 square kilometers, while Ukraine governs about 14,500 square kilometers in these regions.
Source: aajtak
French President Emmanuel Macron declared that the White House meeting on Tuesday highlighted America’s commitment to security guarantees for Ukraine.
Ukraine seeks solid security guarantees from America and Europe to deter future Russian invasions. Until now, the U.S. exhibited hesitancy, indicating European nations should ensure Ukraine’s security.
Following Monday’s White House dialogue, U.S. President Donald Trump referenced 'NATO-like' security assurances for Ukraine, achievable through joint efforts with European nations.
