Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed halting military operations along the current front lines in Ukraine as part of peace negotiations with former U.S. President Donald Trump. This proposal, according to Odaily sources, includes Moscow potentially relinquishing its control over four occupied regions currently under Ukrainian control. In response, the United States suggests a potential solution including Washington recognizing Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea and acknowledging Russia’s de facto control over parts of the four regions it presently holds. This represents the first indication since the conflict began three years ago that Putin is willing to abandon Russia’s primary military objectives. However, European officials caution that this apparent concession could be a tactic used by Putin to press Trump for additional demands and use this as leverage in establishing Russian-controlled territories. One official highlights the significant pressure on Ukraine to concede certain points to allow Trump to claim diplomatic success.