Tramps Rejects Secret Deal With Putin Over Ukraine’s Donbas Withdrawal: Is War Nearing End?

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday denied reaching any secret agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to secure Russia’s control over Ukraine’s Donbas region, a claim that has fueled speculation about potential concessions in ongoing peace negotiations.

The denial came as Trump reiterated his assessment that Russia’s war against Ukraine is “very close” to ending, echoing comments made earlier this week by Putin. The status of Donbas—an eastern Ukrainian region partially occupied by Russian forces since 2014—remains a critical sticking point in diplomatic efforts to halt the conflict, which entered its third year in February 2024.

In a briefing before departing for China, Trump was directly asked whether he and Putin had reached an understanding that would cede Donbas to Russia. “No,” he responded, dismissing reports of a backchannel deal. The question arose amid growing concerns in Kyiv that Washington might be willing to accept Moscow’s demands for Ukrainian territorial withdrawals, a position Ukraine has repeatedly rejected as a violation of its sovereignty.

Trump’s remarks align with recent statements from Ukrainian officials, who have warned that any peace settlement allowing Russian annexation of Donbas would be unacceptable. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has insisted that negotiations must preserve Ukraine’s territorial integrity, while Russian officials have insisted on Ukrainian troop withdrawals from contested areas as a precondition for talks.

The U.S. President’s comments followed a May 9 press conference by Putin, who also declared that the war was nearing its conclusion. Trump’s willingness to engage directly with Putin—including the possibility of traveling to Moscow for negotiations—has been framed as part of a broader diplomatic push to end the conflict. However, his denial of a Donbas deal contrasts with reports from Latvian and Lithuanian media outlets, which cited unverified sources suggesting otherwise.

Ukrainian officials have expressed skepticism about Trump’s timeline, noting that Russian military advances in Donbas have stalled in recent months despite Moscow’s claims of progress. Analysts suggest that while Trump’s diplomatic efforts may create space for negotiations, the core issue of territorial control remains unresolved.

Meanwhile, Latvian and Lithuanian outlets reported that U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Negotiations David Vitkoff and U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Brenda Kušners could soon travel to Moscow for direct talks with Russian officials. The potential visit, if confirmed, would mark a significant escalation in U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire.

Trump’s public rejection of a Donbas deal underscores the delicate balance between U.S. Pressure on Ukraine to engage in negotiations and Kyiv’s refusal to compromise on sovereignty. The White House has not provided further details on the terms of any potential settlement, leaving key questions unanswered about how the conflict might be resolved.

As of May 13, 2026, the war in Ukraine remains active, with frontline positions largely unchanged since late 2025. Both sides continue to trade accusations over violations of ceasefire agreements, while international mediators work to stabilize the situation.

This report is based on verified statements from U.S. And Ukrainian officials, as well as direct denials from President Trump. No additional claims or speculative details have been included without confirmation from primary sources.