Putin, considered by the world media to be the big winner of the Alaska meeting, says that Russia is closer to a final agreement on Ukraine after talks with the US. Meanwhile, sources have revealed what conditions Putin has set for Ukraine for an end to hostilities.

The meeting with US President Donald Trump was very useful and timely, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the day after their long-awaited meeting in Alaska. He added that he and his American counterpart discussed peace in Ukraine, which would be based on a"just basis".

Putin briefed the country's extended leadership, which included the highest Russian representatives of the defense forces and politics, on the results of the talks.

"The conversation was very frank, substantive and, in my opinion, brings us closer to the necessary decisions," Putin said of the talks in Alaska. According to him, Moscow respects Washington's positions, but at the same time it had the opportunity to present its own in detail at the meeting, STA reports, citing foreign press agencies.

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Is Ukrainian capitulation in Donetsk a condition for peace?

Meanwhile, the British newspaper Financial Times reported today, citing unnamed sources, that Putin, at a meeting with Trump (the latter pictured below upon his return to Washington), is said to have demanded the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the eastern Donetsk region as a condition for ending the war. He is said to have mentioned to the US president the possibility of freezing the front line in the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporozhye.

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The US president briefed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders on the content of his talks with his Russian counterpart today. Earlier, in an interview with Fox News, he expressed his belief that they were close to an agreement, but that concluding it depended on Zelensky, and that European countries would have to be involved to some extent in the matter.

According to the New York Times, citing two senior European officials, Trump told European counterparts that he supports a peace plan that would see Ukraine hand over to Russia territories occupied by Russian forces during the war. He is expected to discuss the matter with Zelensky on Monday when he visits him at the White House.

Earlier today, in a joint statement, the leaders of several European countries, the European Commission and the European Council welcomed Trump's efforts to end the war and his statement on US security guarantees for Ukraine. They also pointed out that the so-called coalition of the willing, which will meet virtually on Sunday, is also ready to play an active role in this.