Putin and Trump: Secret deal on Ukraine – who gives up, who wins?

Putin and Trump: Secret deal on Ukraine – who gives up, who wins?

On August 15, 2025, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump met for a historic summit in Anchorage, Alaska. This was the first face-to-face meeting between the two presidents in four years. The main focus of these talks was a peace plan for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

In the talks, Russia offered to return smaller occupied territories in Ukraine. Ukraine, on the other hand, would have to cede significant territories in return, especially Donetsk and Luhansk. Putin also called for formal recognition of Russian rule over Crimea, which was annexed in 2014. The Russian president said Russia is ready to return about 440 square kilometers in the northern regions of Sumy and Kharkiv. In return, Ukraine currently controls around 6,600 square kilometers in Donbass.

Negotiations and security guarantees

Trump said no agreement had been reached on an immediate ceasefire, but there was agreement on territorial transfers and security guarantees. Ukraine has rejected a withdrawal from Donetsk because the city is considered a key defensive barrier. Russia, on the other hand, would freeze the front lines in the Kherson and Zaporizhia regions.

Moscow has also formulated conditions regarding possible sanctions and is calling for them to be lifted, although it remains unclear whether this concerns American or European sanctions. Putin is also blocking Ukraine's accession to NATO, but is willing to discuss security guarantees. Trump mentioned the possibility of an “Article 5 outside NATO,” suggesting an alternative security guarantee.

Linguistic and cultural components

Another point of the negotiations concerns the official status of the Russian language in certain parts of Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian security service has accused the Russian Orthodox Church of supporting Russian aggression. European leaders stressed that territorial cessions should only be discussed after a formal ceasefire.

To further negotiate the situation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Washington to discuss the conflict with Trump. Putin's offer is a result of intensive talks between European, American and Ukrainian leaders, but Putin's presentation excludes a ceasefire before a comprehensive agreement.

In another news report, YouTube TV was announced to launch in major US metropolitan areas on August 17, 2025. The service offers live streaming from over 50 networks, including ABC, CBS, and ESPN, and costs just $35 per month. A one-month free trial is available, and there is also a free Google Chromecast after the first month.

YouTube TV allows users to stream on smartphones, tablets and computers, and also supports streaming via Google Chromecast. With Cloud DVR without storage limits, recordings can be stored for up to nine months. The service is flexible and does not require long-term commitments.

Those interested have the opportunity to YouTubeTV Register to start the free test or via the respective app stores.