VLADIMIR Putin has reportedly offered to halt the bloody frontline invasion of Ukraine in the latest unpredictable move by the dictator.
Mad Vlad apparently told Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff that Moscow could stop troops – and even renounce claims to four partly-occupied Ukrainian regions that remain under Kyiv’s control, in a bid to reach a peace agreement.
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The unconfirmed revelation is said to have taken place during a meeting in St Petersburg earlier in April, three sources told the Financial Times.
The US has since floated a possible settlement that would include Washington recognising Russian ownership of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula.
It has also suggested Washington would at least acknowledge the Kremlin’s de facto control over the parts of the four regions it currently holds.
The reported proposal is the first sign Putin has given that shows he could actually be willing to step back from his radical demands to finally end the war.
But European officials briefed on US efforts to end fighting in Ukraine have warned that Putin would likely use the unpredictable compromise as a way of manipulating Trump into accepting Russia’s other demands.
One official told the FT: “There is a lot of pressure on Kyiv right now to give up on things so Trump can claim victory.”
It comes as The Telegraph reports a seven-point peace plan being drawn up by the US, which could allow Russia to keep various land seized from Ukraine.
According to the plan, Putin would stay close to the territory his cannon fodder troops have seized from Zelensky, as outlined in an unconfirmed seven-point plan to end the war.
The proposal is expected to be discussed in London today to see how Kyiv will react – but the proposed plan leaves Ukraine with no clear US security guarantee.
It includes the US offering formal recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea while implying de facto recognition of other occupied territories.
This would result in a freeze of the current devastating frontline – but consequently allows mad Vlad to keep almost all the territory Russia has gained.
However, the plan does cover some points that work in Ukraine’s favour, like Russia giving up two small areas currently occupied by its soldiers, the newspaper adds.
Ukraine would also regain unrestrained access to the beginning of the Dnieper river while Russia would withdraw from a second area of Kherson province.
US envoy General Keith Kellogg seeks to gain Ukraine’s approval, and therefore agreement, to the plan today.
Witkoff is then set to travel to Moscow and present the bombshell plan to mad Vlad.
SEVEN-POINT PLAN
A source with knowledge of the plan said that its points one and two involve an immediate ceasefire and intense, direct talks between Ukraine and Russia, The Telegraph reports.
Point three requires Ukraine to halt its drive to receive Nato membership, but the country would still be able to join the EU.
And European countries could deploy peacekeeping troops to deter the Russian dictator from invading again – but the seven-point plan doesn’t commit the US to guarantee the security of any deployment like this, The Telegraph understands.
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Point four looks at territory, with the US offering legal recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea.
This would violate a central principle of international law, as well as the post-1945 world order, where no country can annex the territory of another.
The unconfirmed proposal would freeze the frontline and, in turn, allow Putin to keep close to all of Russia’s gains.
While it wouldn’t formally recognise those areas as being part of Russia, the newspaper understands that the plan hints as de facto US recognition.
In the plan, Ukraine’s largest nuclear power station at Zaporizhzhia that’s currently held by Russian forces would be handed over to the US.
In point six, Ukraine would sign the minerals deal to allow US companies to access the country’s rich natural resources.
And point seven poses the chance of a new relationship between the US and Russia.
In the plan, all US sanctions would be lifted, and the two sides would discuss co-operating on energy.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy is set to lead the latest Ukraine peace talks, as officials from the war-torn nation are joined by US, British and European allies in London.
Wednesday’s gathering comes as Donald Trump’s administration continues to drive efforts to find peace between Russia and war-torn Ukraine.
Trump has suggested he is hopeful the warring parties “will make a deal this week”.
Can there be peace?
BY Lydia Doye
EARLIER this year it seemed hopeful that world leaders would broker a peace deal in Ukraine.
But these hopes are wavering as Putin has repeatedly refused to cooperate, instead choosing to ramp up attacks on Ukraine.
Putin’s latest recruitment drive could have huge ramifications for peace with Donald Trump already voicing serious concerns over Putin’s readiness to agree to a ceasefire in recent days.
Putin has already angered the US President over refusing to commit to any truce agreement.
Trump previously admitted he was “p***ed off” with the Russian tyrant after he called for Zelensky’s removal from office in an effort to stall peace.
In Europe Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron have put forward an idea to help maintain a future truce deal by sending their troops to patrol.
But this proposal has been widely condemned by Putin and his Kremlin pals sparking further Russia-European tensions.
