Russia-Ukraine War: Putin Puts Strange Demand Before Zelensky!
Russian President Vladimir Putin has presented a new proposal to end the war with Ukraine, but it makes one thing clear — there will be no ceasefire for now. This means Russia will continue its attacks on Ukraine. According to reports, the proposal will be discussed by U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Zelensky, and European leaders on Monday, August 18, 2025, following the Alaska summit between Trump and Putin.
Putin’s Peace Proposal
Under the outline of the peace proposal, Putin wants Zelensky to give up control of Ukraine’s eastern territories, mainly in the Donbas region. In return, Russia would withdraw from some smaller areas it has recently captured.
Reuters reported that this proposal may not be final and could still change, but it already contains demands that would be extremely difficult for Ukraine’s leadership to accept.
Russia Demands Donbas, Offers to Stop Attacks Elsewhere
The key point of Putin’s plan is that Ukraine would have to hand over Donetsk and Luhansk to Moscow. In exchange, Russia would stop its military attacks in the southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
However, this is not a ceasefire offer. Russia continues to strike Ukraine daily with drones and ballistic missiles. For President Zelensky, this is a major concern as Ukrainian forces are already under huge pressure.
Russia Promises to Leave Some Ukrainian Land
Putin has also indicated that Russia is willing to return land in northern Sumy and northeastern Kharkiv to Ukraine. At present, Russian troops occupy parts of these regions. According to Ukraine’s Deep State Battlefield Mapping Project, Russia currently controls about 440 square kilometers of land in Sumy and Kharkiv. Meanwhile, Ukraine holds about 6,600 square kilometers in Donbas, including Donetsk and Luhansk — territories claimed by Russia.
Zelensky, however, has firmly rejected the idea of giving away any land, including Donetsk, to Russia. Ukrainian officials argue that these regions are strategically vital for their defense against ongoing Russian attacks.
NATO Membership Blocked for Ukraine
Another important element of Putin’s plan is that Ukraine would not be allowed to join NATO. While this has always been one of Moscow’s key demands, Putin now says that Russia could provide Ukraine with certain security guarantees instead.
In addition, Russia is expected to demand that the Russian language be given official status in some or all parts of Ukraine. Moscow also wants the Russian Orthodox Church to be allowed to operate freely in Ukraine.
Russian Church Controversy
Ukraine’s security services have accused the Moscow-linked Orthodox Church of spreading pro-Russian propaganda and sheltering spies, thereby helping Russia’s war effort. The church, however, denies these accusations and claims that it has cut all official ties with Moscow.
Major Challenges Ahead
While Putin’s proposal might look like a path toward peace, experts say it creates more problems than solutions. By demanding the permanent handover of Donbas and blocking NATO membership, Russia is asking Ukraine to give up on both its territorial sovereignty and its long-term security.
For Ukraine, agreeing to such terms would be nearly impossible. For Russia, the proposal allows continued military pressure while placing the burden of decision-making on Kyiv.
Conclusion
Putin’s latest offer reveals that a true ceasefire is still far away. While discussions with Trump, Zelensky, and European leaders may explore the proposal, the conditions remain heavily tilted in Moscow’s favor. With ongoing drone and missile strikes, the war continues, and Ukraine faces the challenge of defending its territory while resisting international pressure to compromise.
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