At the meeting in Anchorage, Trump proposed to ease sanctions against Russia in exchange for a ceasefire (i.e., to stop the war along the front line), the Financial Times reports, citing sources.
Trump also told Putin that the U.S. was ready to recognize Russia's annexation of Crimea and push Ukraine to withdraw its troops from Donbas - if Russia ceased hostilities.
But Putin rejected this proposal, demanding that Ukraine first withdraw its troops from Donbas. The Russian president also insisted that a deal was impossible without addressing the "root causes" of the conflict.
As a result, Trump raised his voice during the negotiations, the publication reports. Despite the handshake and smiles during their meeting, behind closed doors, "the warmth quickly evaporated."
After Putin rejected Trump's proposal, he "embarked on a lengthy historical excursion, talking about Rurik, Yaroslav the Wise, and Bohdan Khmelnytsky," the publication claims.
Trump raised his voice several times and at one point threatened to walk out. Ultimately, he interrupted the meeting and canceled the planned lunch, where broader delegations were supposed to discuss economic ties and cooperation.
It is noteworthy that Trump himself publicly characterized the meeting with Putin very positively after it. He stated that significant progress had been made towards peace during it.
Additionally, as Western media reported at the time, Trump viewed Putin's condition for the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the entire territory of Donetsk region positively.
