"Kyiv and its European allies reacted with understandable horror to early ideas from Trump envoy Steve Witkoff that Ukraine would hand over the liberated territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in exchange for a ceasefire," wrote US media giant CNN, citing leaked information.
As CNN notes, Putin is clearly attracted to the idea of obtaining Ukrainian territories without a fight, the defense of which has already cost Ukrainians thousands of lives.
The author of the article believes that Ukraine could theoretically sacrifice Pokrovsk and Konstantinivka, which are already at risk of encirclement. However, Kramatorsk and Slavyansk are a different matter.
"Thousands of civilians now live there, and Moscow would be thrilled by the images of cities being evacuated and Russian troops entering them without a single shot being fired," writes CNN.
The obvious consequence of the transfer of these territories will be the anger of Ukrainians, especially the military, who have a deep distrust of Russia. However, American journalists note that it is unclear what Ukraine will get in return.
It is possible that the issue is about the withdrawal of Russian troops from"tiny stretches of border territory in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions - part of Putin's alleged"buffer zone".
If Ukraine has to cede Donbass simply for the sake of a cessation of hostilities, it seems highly doubtful, writes CNN, recalling that V. Putin has repeatedly broken his promises.
In this context, Trump's plans to meet with Putin in Alaska seem like a potential source of danger.
As the author of the article notes,"there is a risk that a friendly atmosphere will develop between Trump and Putin" and they will agree among themselves that Ukraine must give in.
And then this pseudo-peace plan will be offered to Kyiv, threatening to cut off military aid.
Overall, the situation in Ukraine looks dire, writes CNN: Trump's latest ultimatum has expired without new sanctions on Russia, the Russian army continues to advance on the front lines, and Putin received his first invitation to the United States in years to discuss the seizure of Ukrainian territory without a fight.
"And that's before the former KGB spy begins working his apparent magic against Trump. There are six days left until Friday (the announced date of the Alaska meeting - UNIAN), but even this distance looks like a slow defeat for Kiev," the author of the article concludes.
