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The United States and Russia are seeking to secure a peace deal that would lock in Russian gains in Ukraine following the invasion three and a half years ago. According to Bloomberg, this deal would require Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to cede eastern Donbas, Crimea, and parts of Luhansk and Donetsk, where fighting continues.
U.S., Russian, and Ukrainian foreign affairs ministries did not comment on the report via email on Friday.
### Why It Matters
If confirmed, such a deal would represent a significant victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin. He launched the invasion in February 2022 with the stated aim of “liberating” Donbas, despite global condemnation and concern over the unprovoked nature of the war.
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The conflict has persisted as Russia struggles to make substantial gains after initial progress. Peace deals have stalled due to disagreements among Russian and Ukrainian leaders on key issues, such as whether Russia should retain its seized territory.
### What To Know
Ukraine has not agreed to the proposed deal, Bloomberg reported. Putin is expected to meet with President Donald Trump for talks next week. The U.S. is working to build support from Ukraine and European allies but faces uncertainty in achieving this goal.
Under the proposal, Ukraine would need to withdraw troops from Luhansk and Donetsk, while Russia would end offensive operations in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. It remains unclear whether Moscow would relinquish any occupied land.
Trump’s return to office in January marked a shift from the Biden administration’s unwavering support for Ukraine, which maintained that Russia could not win any of its territory. In July, Trump gave Putin a 50-day deadline to reach a ceasefire but has since reduced this to “a lesser number.” He expressed disappointment as Moscow continued its attacks on Ukraine.
### What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump tweeted after U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin: “Great progress was made! Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies. Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come.”
The Kremlin stated through Russian state media: “Putin conveyed signals to the United States on the Ukrainian issue. Corresponding signals were also received from President Trump.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “The Russians expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the president is open to meeting with both President Putin and President Zelensky. President Trump wants this brutal war to end.”
### What Happens Next?
Full details of the proposed deal have not been released ahead of an upcoming meeting between Trump and Putin. Trump said that Putin does not need to meet with Zelensky as a condition for their sit-down.
**Update 8/8/2025 11:52 a.m. ET**: This article was updated with additional information.
📚 Reading Comprehension Quiz
According to the content, which of the following territories is NOT mentioned as part of the proposed deal that Ukraine might need to cede?
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