Ukraine could agree to halt hostilities and surrender territory currently occupied by Russia as part of a European-supported peace proposal, it has been revealed tonight.
European leaders have been informed by Volodymyr Zelensky that they must oppose any settlement put forward by Donald Trump requiring Ukraine to cede additional land - though Russia might be permitted to keep some of the territory it has seized.
However, this would involve freezing the front line at its current position and granting Russia effective control over the areas it holds in Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and Crimea. This development follows Vladimir Putin's nuclear threats as he launched another devastating assault on Ukraine.
Mr Trump and Mr Putin are scheduled to conduct discussions in Alaska on Friday, reports the Mirror.
Ukraine and Europe have grown increasingly worried that Mr Trump and Mr Putin might negotiate a conclusion to the prolonged conflict without Mr Zelensky's involvement.
Yet the latest development - the European-supported peace proposal - represents a softer negotiating stance.
Describing a frantic weekend of diplomatic activity between Kyiv and its partners, a Western official stated: "The plan can only be related to the current positions held by the militaries."
It is understood American officials have committed to consulting European leaders before the direct meeting between Mr Trump and Mr Putin.
Speaking today, Donald Tusk, Poland's prime minister, declared: "I have many fears and a lot of hope."
European diplomats have expressed concern over a supposed peace plan endorsed by Moscow, which proposes freezing the frontlines in south-eastern Ukraine if Kyiv agrees to withdraw from areas of Donetsk and Luhansk under its control.
They believe that there has been no significant shift in Putin's overall war objectives, which aim to overthrow Ukraine's Western-leaning government and replace it with a Moscow-friendly proxy.
According to a report by the Washington-based think tank, the Institute for the Study of War, Russia is still targeting the "full capitulation" of Kyiv, including blocking any chance of Nato membership and demilitarisation. On Monday evening, Ukrainian President Zelensky stated that there were no indications that Russia was planning to end the war, despite impending peace talks.
Quoting a report from Ukraine's intelligence, Mr Zelensky said: "On the contrary, they are moving their troops and forces in such a way as to launch new offensive operations."
While Ukraine appears willing to concede some territory, it is believed that they will only agree to a peace agreement that provides strong security assurances, including weapons deliveries and a route to Nato membership.
