Putin tells Trump conflict can end if Russia gains full control of Donetsk — media

During a phone call on October 16, Russian President Vladimir Putin told US President Donald Trump that the conflict in Ukraine could be resolved if Russian forces gain full control of Donetsk Oblast, The Washington Post reports, citing sources.

According to the sources, Russia is willing to drop claims to Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts in exchange for control over Donetsk. US administration officials described this shift as a sign of progress.

The report also notes that US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with the Ukrainian delegation on October 17, urging Kyiv to agree to cede part of Donetsk to Russia.

Following the call, Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on October 17. Russian-American talks are scheduled to be held in Budapest. 

No firm date has been set for the summit, but both sides suggest it could occur within two weeks, preceded by advisor-level talks led by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The agenda focuses on ending Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, amid Trump's recent threats to supply Kyiv with Tomahawk missiles if Moscow stalls—though he later softened, saying Putin "wants to end the war."

By Khagan Isayev