Putin has proposed a ceasefire in the current frontline areas, expressing for the first time or abandoning the highest demand for military action

On April 23rd, according to the Financial Times, Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed to stop the offensive against Ukraine on the current front lines as part of efforts to reach a peace deal with Trump, according to people familiar with the matter. Putin told Trump's envoy earlier this month that Moscow could drop its claim to sovereignty over four parts of Ukraine that are still under Kiev's control, three of the people said. The United States has since proposed possible solutions, < b > which include Washington recognizing Russian ownership of the Crimean peninsula and at least recognizing Russia's de facto control over parts of the four areas it currently controls. < b > This is the first time since the conflict broke out three years ago that Putin has officially said that Russia may give up its top demands for military action. But European officials warned that Mr. Putin could use the apparent concession as bait to entice Mr. Trump into accepting Russia's other demands and imposing them on Ukraine as a fait accompli. "There is a lot of pressure on Kiev right now to drop things so Trump can declare victory," one said.