From: Transform Ukraine By Douglas Landro / August 9, 2025
As Trump Sets August 15 Alaska Summit, Moscow Demands Ukraine Abandon Its Fortress Belt and Cede Strategic Territories That Russian Forces Have Failed to Capture After Three Years of War
Summary of the Day – August 8, 2025
The diplomatic chess match between Washington and Moscow reached a crescendo as U.S. President Donald Trump announced a historic August 15 summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, following revelations that the Kremlin is demanding Ukraine surrender its most strategically vital unoccupied territories. Putin’s proposal, delivered through U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, would force Ukraine to abandon its carefully constructed “fortress belt” in Donetsk Oblast—the defensive line that has successfully repelled Russian advances for over three years. As Trump speaks openly of “territory swapping” and warns Zelensky to “get ready to sign something,” the day’s events crystallized the stark choice facing Ukraine: surrender its strongest defensive positions for an uncertain peace, or continue fighting with potentially diminishing Western support.
The Fortress Belt Ultimatum: Putin Demands What His Army Cannot Take
The most consequential revelation of August 8 emerged from classified briefings revealing Putin’s ceasefire proposal transmitted through Steve Witkoff’s Moscow visit. The Russian president demands that Ukraine withdraw from the entirety of Donetsk Oblast—effectively surrendering the fortress belt that has anchored Ukrainian defenses since 2014.
This 50-kilometer defensive line, stretching from Slovyansk to Kostyantynivka along the H-20 highway, represents Ukraine’s 11-year investment in turning four major cities into an impregnable barrier. The fortress belt consists of Slovyansk and Kramatorsk forming the northern half, serving as significant logistics hubs, while Druzhkivka, Oleksiyevo-Druzhkivka, and Kostyantynivka comprise the southern portion.
Ukrainian forces first established these positions after retaking the cities from pro-Russian proxies in April 2014, maintaining control since July 2014. Ukraine has spent eleven years and billions of dollars in Western aid constructing fortifications that have proven tactically decisive against Russian assault.
The surrender would position Russian forces 82 kilometers further west in Ukraine and provide advantageous launching points for future offensives into Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts. Russian forces would gain positions roughly 20 kilometers from Izyum and could potentially threaten Kharkiv City using tactics similar to their 2022 approach.
Alaska Bound: Trump and Putin Set Historic Summit
Trump announced via Truth Social that he would meet Putin on August 15 in Alaska, marking the first face-to-face encounter between the leaders since Russia’s full-scale invasion began. Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed Russian attendance while noting Moscow’s expectation for reciprocal Trump visits to Russia.
Voice of Ukraine 