A reported breakthrough between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump appears to be a misunderstanding, according to German sources. Confusion arose over Putin's demands, with conflicting interpretations about Russia's intentions in Ukraine. The situation highlights the complexity of negotiations and the potential for miscommunication in high-stakes diplomacy.
Misunderstanding Clouds Putin's Alleged Breakthrough with Trump
Misunderstanding Clouds Putin's Alleged Breakthrough with Trump
Putin's demands seemed to soften slightly, and Donald Trump spoke of significant progress. However, it all appears to have been a misunderstanding, according to Germany's Bild.
"Witkoff doesn't know what he's talking about," says a Ukrainian government source, echoed by the German government.
Various versions have emerged about what Vladimir Putin conveyed to Steve Witkoff in discussions that led to Donald Trump's invitation to Alaska. Earlier this week, Vladimir Putin seemed to have slightly retreated from his previous maximalist demands—something that has been downplayed day by day. The Wall Street Journal reports on the development, where Donald Trump on Wednesday—after Witkoff's meeting with Putin—told European leaders that Russia is prepared to withdraw from Zaporizhzhia and Kherson in exchange for full control over Donetsk.
According to sources, Witkoff downplayed Trump's statement in conversations the following day, saying that Russia would "both withdraw and freeze" the frontline. On Friday, European leaders sought clarification of Putin's demands and were then informed by Witkoff that the only current offer is for Ukraine to withdraw from Donetsk in exchange for a ceasefire. This has been completely dismissed by both Ukraine and European allies.
Primary Defense Line
Now, Germany's Bild writes that the confusion may be due to Witkoff misunderstanding Putin's still impossible demands for full control over Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Crimea.
Witkoff is said to have interpreted Putin's words about a "peaceful withdrawal" of Ukrainians from Zaporizhzhia and Kherson as an offer to withdraw Russian forces from these regions. Furthermore, Witkoff is also said to have misunderstood Putin's proposal to halt attacks on energy infrastructure and long-distance targets as an offer of a general ceasefire.
What all reports have in common, however, is Putin's demand that Ukraine withdraw from the non-occupied parts of Donetsk—something that would be a huge concession from Ukraine's side, writes the think tank ISW in its daily report.
This is where Ukraine's strongest fortification line lies, which has stopped and complicated Russian forces' advance since 2014.
"Handing over the remainder of Donetsk as a condition for a ceasefire—without a commitment to a final peace settlement—would give Russian forces a very favorable position to resume their attacks on better terms, having avoided a long and bloody struggle for the land," writes ISW.