How Zelensky can save Ukraine
Militarily, the Ukrainian president would have got nothing in return, other than a halt to the fighting, while Russia would have been allowed to bypass some of Ukraine's stiffest defences for free.
There was some talk of Russian forces being made to withdraw from the northern region of Sumy and neighbouring Kharkiv. This strategy, according to Jaroslava Barbieri, a research fellow at Chatham House's Ukraine Forum, was designed by Putin to position Zelensky as the main blockage to peace in Trump's eyes.
'I'd say in demanding swathes of Ukrainian territory as part of a peace deal, Putin is aware the condition is unacceptable for most Ukrainians,' Barbieri said.
Rejecting the offer could 'portray Ukraine's position as uncooperative and ungrateful to Trump's peace-brokering efforts,' she added.
Barbieri said: 'It could drive a wedge between Trump and European allies, who have reiterated the importance of preserving Ukraine's sovereignty.
'And ... potentially destabilise Ukrainian society by mobilising grievances among the minority who are willing to accept concessions to end the war.'
Polling by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology released in June found that just 38 per cent of Ukrainians were willing to accept territorial losses 'in order to achieve peace as soon as possible and preserve independence'.
In comparison, 52 per cent said they were firmly against ceding land 'even if this makes the war last longer'.
But Zelensky has accepted that some form of cession of territory will be necessary to end the war. Without it, he'd be likely to lose US support, and eventually European allies would start to fade away.
Trump declared on Monday that there will be 'some swapping, some changes to land'.
Sources have told Britain's Daily Telegraph that Zelensky could be ready to stop fighting, freeze the front line and hand over de facto control of territories occupied by Russian forces to Moscow as part of any settlement. These include swathes of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and Crimea.
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Trump added: 'We're going to try to get some of that territory back for Ukraine.'
The key to Zelensky managing the process and selling it back to his public will be in the language. De jure recognition of Russia's control would require a referendum and would be likely to stoke tensions in the population, enough to hurt Zelensky at the ballot box in any future election.
Agreeing to de facto control, which is not legally recognised, in acceptance of the temporary reality of the situation on the ground is more likely.
One possibility for this being discussed among war-watchers would be to replicate the Sino-British Joint Declaration signed between China and the United Kingdom to decide on Hong Kong's future. That deal saw London return sovereignty to Beijing in 1997, but under the condition that it would maintain Hong Kong's special status for 50 years.
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Could Ukraine and Russia agree to recognise that the Donbas regions are legally Ukrainian but managed as if they belonged to Moscow for a set period of time? That would be likely to settle Zelensky's referendum problem by kicking any real decision into the long grass. The bloodshed would stop and the line in the sand would be drawn – for now.
However, Moscow would use the time to sow anti-Ukrainian sentiment in the region, with the intention of making its eventual return almost impossible and unpalatable for Ukrainians, who have all lost a father, brother or friend in the war.
Whatever the proposal, it would appear that Putin has covertly edged closer to one of his war aims by leaving Zelensky with a decision that will shape his future as president. And he has put the spotlight back on Ukraine's leader.
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7NEWS
16 minutes ago
- 7NEWS
White House orders review of Smithsonian museums and exhibits to make sure they align with Trump's vision
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The Advertiser
16 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Zelenskiy in Berlin for talks before Trump-Putin summit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will join German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin for talks with European and US leaders before a Trump-Putin summit. Merz has convened a series of virtual meetings for Wednesday in an attempt to have the voice of European and Ukraine's leaders heard before the summit later this week in Alaska, where President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to discuss a path towards ending Moscow's war in Ukraine. Zelenskiy and the leaders of European countries have been sidelined from that summit. Zelenskiy is due to meet with European leaders first, in preparation for a virtual call with Trump and Vice President JD Vance about an hour later. A call between leaders of countries involved in the "coalition of the willing" - those who are prepared to help police any future peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv - will take place last. On Wednesday, Merz pledged to help Ukraine develop its own long-range missile systems that would be free of any Western-imposed limitations on their use and targets as the Kyiv government fights to repel Russia's invasion. The Ukrainian leader on Wednesday reiterated his doubt that Putin would negotiate in good faith to end the war. Writing on his official Telegram channel, Zelenskiy said there was "currently no sign that the Russians are preparing to end the war". He urged Ukraine's partners in the United States and Europe to coordinate efforts and "force Russia to peace". "Pressure must be applied on Russia for an honest peace. We must take the experience of Ukraine and our partners to prevent deception by Russia," Zelenskiy said. Trump has said he wants to see whether Putin is serious about ending the war, now in its fourth year, describing Friday's summit as "a feel-out meeting" where he can assess the Russian leader's intentions. Yet Trump has disappointed allies in Europe by saying Ukraine will have to give up some Russian-held territory. He has also said Russia must accept land swaps, although it was unclear what Putin might be expected to surrender. European allies have pushed for Ukraine's involvement in any peace talks, fearful that discussions that exclude Kyiv could otherwise favour Moscow. Trump on Monday ducked repeated chances to say that he would push for Zelenskiy to take part in his discussions with Putin, and was dismissive of Zelenskiy and his need to be part of an effort to seek peace. Trump said that following Friday's summit, a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders could be arranged, or that it could also be a meeting with "Putin and Zelenskiy and me". The Europeans and Ukraine are wary that Putin, who has waged the biggest land war in Europe since 1945 and used Russia's energy might to try to intimidate the European Union, might secure favourable concessions and set the outlines of a peace deal without them. The overarching fear of many European countries is that Putin will set his sights on one of them next if he wins in Ukraine. Zelenskiy said Putin wanted Ukraine to withdraw from the remaining 30 per cent of the Donetsk region that it still controls as part of a ceasefire deal, a proposal the leader categorically rejected. Zelenskiy reiterated that Ukraine would not give up any territory it controls, saying that would be unconstitutional and would serve only as a springboard for a future Russian invasion. He said diplomatic discussions led by the US focusing on ending the war have not addressed key Ukrainian demands, including security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression and including Europe in negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will join German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin for talks with European and US leaders before a Trump-Putin summit. Merz has convened a series of virtual meetings for Wednesday in an attempt to have the voice of European and Ukraine's leaders heard before the summit later this week in Alaska, where President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to discuss a path towards ending Moscow's war in Ukraine. Zelenskiy and the leaders of European countries have been sidelined from that summit. Zelenskiy is due to meet with European leaders first, in preparation for a virtual call with Trump and Vice President JD Vance about an hour later. A call between leaders of countries involved in the "coalition of the willing" - those who are prepared to help police any future peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv - will take place last. On Wednesday, Merz pledged to help Ukraine develop its own long-range missile systems that would be free of any Western-imposed limitations on their use and targets as the Kyiv government fights to repel Russia's invasion. The Ukrainian leader on Wednesday reiterated his doubt that Putin would negotiate in good faith to end the war. Writing on his official Telegram channel, Zelenskiy said there was "currently no sign that the Russians are preparing to end the war". He urged Ukraine's partners in the United States and Europe to coordinate efforts and "force Russia to peace". "Pressure must be applied on Russia for an honest peace. We must take the experience of Ukraine and our partners to prevent deception by Russia," Zelenskiy said. Trump has said he wants to see whether Putin is serious about ending the war, now in its fourth year, describing Friday's summit as "a feel-out meeting" where he can assess the Russian leader's intentions. Yet Trump has disappointed allies in Europe by saying Ukraine will have to give up some Russian-held territory. He has also said Russia must accept land swaps, although it was unclear what Putin might be expected to surrender. European allies have pushed for Ukraine's involvement in any peace talks, fearful that discussions that exclude Kyiv could otherwise favour Moscow. Trump on Monday ducked repeated chances to say that he would push for Zelenskiy to take part in his discussions with Putin, and was dismissive of Zelenskiy and his need to be part of an effort to seek peace. Trump said that following Friday's summit, a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders could be arranged, or that it could also be a meeting with "Putin and Zelenskiy and me". The Europeans and Ukraine are wary that Putin, who has waged the biggest land war in Europe since 1945 and used Russia's energy might to try to intimidate the European Union, might secure favourable concessions and set the outlines of a peace deal without them. The overarching fear of many European countries is that Putin will set his sights on one of them next if he wins in Ukraine. Zelenskiy said Putin wanted Ukraine to withdraw from the remaining 30 per cent of the Donetsk region that it still controls as part of a ceasefire deal, a proposal the leader categorically rejected. Zelenskiy reiterated that Ukraine would not give up any territory it controls, saying that would be unconstitutional and would serve only as a springboard for a future Russian invasion. He said diplomatic discussions led by the US focusing on ending the war have not addressed key Ukrainian demands, including security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression and including Europe in negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will join German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin for talks with European and US leaders before a Trump-Putin summit. Merz has convened a series of virtual meetings for Wednesday in an attempt to have the voice of European and Ukraine's leaders heard before the summit later this week in Alaska, where President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to discuss a path towards ending Moscow's war in Ukraine. Zelenskiy and the leaders of European countries have been sidelined from that summit. Zelenskiy is due to meet with European leaders first, in preparation for a virtual call with Trump and Vice President JD Vance about an hour later. A call between leaders of countries involved in the "coalition of the willing" - those who are prepared to help police any future peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv - will take place last. On Wednesday, Merz pledged to help Ukraine develop its own long-range missile systems that would be free of any Western-imposed limitations on their use and targets as the Kyiv government fights to repel Russia's invasion. The Ukrainian leader on Wednesday reiterated his doubt that Putin would negotiate in good faith to end the war. Writing on his official Telegram channel, Zelenskiy said there was "currently no sign that the Russians are preparing to end the war". He urged Ukraine's partners in the United States and Europe to coordinate efforts and "force Russia to peace". "Pressure must be applied on Russia for an honest peace. We must take the experience of Ukraine and our partners to prevent deception by Russia," Zelenskiy said. Trump has said he wants to see whether Putin is serious about ending the war, now in its fourth year, describing Friday's summit as "a feel-out meeting" where he can assess the Russian leader's intentions. Yet Trump has disappointed allies in Europe by saying Ukraine will have to give up some Russian-held territory. He has also said Russia must accept land swaps, although it was unclear what Putin might be expected to surrender. European allies have pushed for Ukraine's involvement in any peace talks, fearful that discussions that exclude Kyiv could otherwise favour Moscow. Trump on Monday ducked repeated chances to say that he would push for Zelenskiy to take part in his discussions with Putin, and was dismissive of Zelenskiy and his need to be part of an effort to seek peace. Trump said that following Friday's summit, a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders could be arranged, or that it could also be a meeting with "Putin and Zelenskiy and me". The Europeans and Ukraine are wary that Putin, who has waged the biggest land war in Europe since 1945 and used Russia's energy might to try to intimidate the European Union, might secure favourable concessions and set the outlines of a peace deal without them. The overarching fear of many European countries is that Putin will set his sights on one of them next if he wins in Ukraine. Zelenskiy said Putin wanted Ukraine to withdraw from the remaining 30 per cent of the Donetsk region that it still controls as part of a ceasefire deal, a proposal the leader categorically rejected. Zelenskiy reiterated that Ukraine would not give up any territory it controls, saying that would be unconstitutional and would serve only as a springboard for a future Russian invasion. He said diplomatic discussions led by the US focusing on ending the war have not addressed key Ukrainian demands, including security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression and including Europe in negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will join German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin for talks with European and US leaders before a Trump-Putin summit. Merz has convened a series of virtual meetings for Wednesday in an attempt to have the voice of European and Ukraine's leaders heard before the summit later this week in Alaska, where President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to discuss a path towards ending Moscow's war in Ukraine. Zelenskiy and the leaders of European countries have been sidelined from that summit. Zelenskiy is due to meet with European leaders first, in preparation for a virtual call with Trump and Vice President JD Vance about an hour later. A call between leaders of countries involved in the "coalition of the willing" - those who are prepared to help police any future peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv - will take place last. On Wednesday, Merz pledged to help Ukraine develop its own long-range missile systems that would be free of any Western-imposed limitations on their use and targets as the Kyiv government fights to repel Russia's invasion. The Ukrainian leader on Wednesday reiterated his doubt that Putin would negotiate in good faith to end the war. Writing on his official Telegram channel, Zelenskiy said there was "currently no sign that the Russians are preparing to end the war". He urged Ukraine's partners in the United States and Europe to coordinate efforts and "force Russia to peace". "Pressure must be applied on Russia for an honest peace. We must take the experience of Ukraine and our partners to prevent deception by Russia," Zelenskiy said. Trump has said he wants to see whether Putin is serious about ending the war, now in its fourth year, describing Friday's summit as "a feel-out meeting" where he can assess the Russian leader's intentions. Yet Trump has disappointed allies in Europe by saying Ukraine will have to give up some Russian-held territory. He has also said Russia must accept land swaps, although it was unclear what Putin might be expected to surrender. European allies have pushed for Ukraine's involvement in any peace talks, fearful that discussions that exclude Kyiv could otherwise favour Moscow. Trump on Monday ducked repeated chances to say that he would push for Zelenskiy to take part in his discussions with Putin, and was dismissive of Zelenskiy and his need to be part of an effort to seek peace. Trump said that following Friday's summit, a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders could be arranged, or that it could also be a meeting with "Putin and Zelenskiy and me". The Europeans and Ukraine are wary that Putin, who has waged the biggest land war in Europe since 1945 and used Russia's energy might to try to intimidate the European Union, might secure favourable concessions and set the outlines of a peace deal without them. The overarching fear of many European countries is that Putin will set his sights on one of them next if he wins in Ukraine. Zelenskiy said Putin wanted Ukraine to withdraw from the remaining 30 per cent of the Donetsk region that it still controls as part of a ceasefire deal, a proposal the leader categorically rejected. Zelenskiy reiterated that Ukraine would not give up any territory it controls, saying that would be unconstitutional and would serve only as a springboard for a future Russian invasion. He said diplomatic discussions led by the US focusing on ending the war have not addressed key Ukrainian demands, including security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression and including Europe in negotiations.


The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Jimmy Kimmel obtains Italian citizenship over Trump
Jimmy Kimmel has obtained Italian citizenship. The 57-year-old presenter - who has Katie, 33, and Kevin, 31, with ex-wife Gina Maddy and Jane, 11, and Billy, eight, with spouse Molly McNearney - has Italian heritage on his mother's side so sought to obtain official links to Europe because he is so unhappy with the state of the US under the presidency of Donald Trump. Speaking on The Sarah Silverman Podcast, he said: "I do have... I did get Italian citizenship, I do have that. "What's going on is ... as bad as you thought it was gonna be, it's so much worse. "It's just unbelievable. I feel like it's probably even worse than (Trump) would like it to be." The Jimmy Kimmel Live! host believes people should "welcome" those who have changed their views on Trump after previously supporting him to be re-elected. "I think the door needs to stay open. If you want to change your mind, that's so hard to do. If you want to admit you were wrong, that's so hard and so rare to do. You are welcome," he said. The Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? host's comments about Trump come after the US president claimed he and Jimmy Fallon could be "next" to have their shows cancelled after news that the Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end in May 2026. Trump wrote on his own Truth Social platform: "The word is, and it's a strong word at that, Jimmy Kimmel is NEXT to go in the untalented Late Night Sweepstakes and, shortly thereafter, Fallon will be gone. "These are people with absolutely NO TALENT, who were paid Millions of Dollars for, in all cases, destroying what used to be GREAT Television." In response, Kimmel posted on Instagram: "I'm hearing you're next. Or maybe it's just another wonderful secret." His contract for Jimmy Kimmel Live! - which airs on ABC - is set to expire in 2026. Jimmy Kimmel has obtained Italian citizenship. The 57-year-old presenter - who has Katie, 33, and Kevin, 31, with ex-wife Gina Maddy and Jane, 11, and Billy, eight, with spouse Molly McNearney - has Italian heritage on his mother's side so sought to obtain official links to Europe because he is so unhappy with the state of the US under the presidency of Donald Trump. Speaking on The Sarah Silverman Podcast, he said: "I do have... I did get Italian citizenship, I do have that. "What's going on is ... as bad as you thought it was gonna be, it's so much worse. "It's just unbelievable. I feel like it's probably even worse than (Trump) would like it to be." The Jimmy Kimmel Live! host believes people should "welcome" those who have changed their views on Trump after previously supporting him to be re-elected. "I think the door needs to stay open. If you want to change your mind, that's so hard to do. If you want to admit you were wrong, that's so hard and so rare to do. You are welcome," he said. The Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? host's comments about Trump come after the US president claimed he and Jimmy Fallon could be "next" to have their shows cancelled after news that the Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end in May 2026. Trump wrote on his own Truth Social platform: "The word is, and it's a strong word at that, Jimmy Kimmel is NEXT to go in the untalented Late Night Sweepstakes and, shortly thereafter, Fallon will be gone. "These are people with absolutely NO TALENT, who were paid Millions of Dollars for, in all cases, destroying what used to be GREAT Television." In response, Kimmel posted on Instagram: "I'm hearing you're next. Or maybe it's just another wonderful secret." His contract for Jimmy Kimmel Live! - which airs on ABC - is set to expire in 2026. Jimmy Kimmel has obtained Italian citizenship. The 57-year-old presenter - who has Katie, 33, and Kevin, 31, with ex-wife Gina Maddy and Jane, 11, and Billy, eight, with spouse Molly McNearney - has Italian heritage on his mother's side so sought to obtain official links to Europe because he is so unhappy with the state of the US under the presidency of Donald Trump. Speaking on The Sarah Silverman Podcast, he said: "I do have... I did get Italian citizenship, I do have that. "What's going on is ... as bad as you thought it was gonna be, it's so much worse. "It's just unbelievable. I feel like it's probably even worse than (Trump) would like it to be." The Jimmy Kimmel Live! host believes people should "welcome" those who have changed their views on Trump after previously supporting him to be re-elected. "I think the door needs to stay open. If you want to change your mind, that's so hard to do. If you want to admit you were wrong, that's so hard and so rare to do. You are welcome," he said. The Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? host's comments about Trump come after the US president claimed he and Jimmy Fallon could be "next" to have their shows cancelled after news that the Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end in May 2026. Trump wrote on his own Truth Social platform: "The word is, and it's a strong word at that, Jimmy Kimmel is NEXT to go in the untalented Late Night Sweepstakes and, shortly thereafter, Fallon will be gone. "These are people with absolutely NO TALENT, who were paid Millions of Dollars for, in all cases, destroying what used to be GREAT Television." In response, Kimmel posted on Instagram: "I'm hearing you're next. Or maybe it's just another wonderful secret." His contract for Jimmy Kimmel Live! - which airs on ABC - is set to expire in 2026. Jimmy Kimmel has obtained Italian citizenship. The 57-year-old presenter - who has Katie, 33, and Kevin, 31, with ex-wife Gina Maddy and Jane, 11, and Billy, eight, with spouse Molly McNearney - has Italian heritage on his mother's side so sought to obtain official links to Europe because he is so unhappy with the state of the US under the presidency of Donald Trump. Speaking on The Sarah Silverman Podcast, he said: "I do have... I did get Italian citizenship, I do have that. "What's going on is ... as bad as you thought it was gonna be, it's so much worse. "It's just unbelievable. I feel like it's probably even worse than (Trump) would like it to be." The Jimmy Kimmel Live! host believes people should "welcome" those who have changed their views on Trump after previously supporting him to be re-elected. "I think the door needs to stay open. If you want to change your mind, that's so hard to do. If you want to admit you were wrong, that's so hard and so rare to do. You are welcome," he said. The Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? host's comments about Trump come after the US president claimed he and Jimmy Fallon could be "next" to have their shows cancelled after news that the Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end in May 2026. Trump wrote on his own Truth Social platform: "The word is, and it's a strong word at that, Jimmy Kimmel is NEXT to go in the untalented Late Night Sweepstakes and, shortly thereafter, Fallon will be gone. "These are people with absolutely NO TALENT, who were paid Millions of Dollars for, in all cases, destroying what used to be GREAT Television." In response, Kimmel posted on Instagram: "I'm hearing you're next. Or maybe it's just another wonderful secret." His contract for Jimmy Kimmel Live! - which airs on ABC - is set to expire in 2026.