【Putin demands Ukraine withdraw troops from Donetsk, willing to exchange freezing southern front for territorial concessions】According to Golden Finance, the Financial Times reported that Putin demanded Ukraine withdraw troops from the Donetsk region as a condition for ending the conflict. He told Trump that if his core demands were met, he could freeze the fighting in other areas along the front. According to four people with direct knowledge of the discussions, Putin made this request during a meeting with Trump in Alaska on Friday. Subsequently, Trump conveyed this message to Zelensky and European leaders during a call on Saturday, during which he also urged them to abandon efforts to seek Moscow's agreement for a ceasefire. Three individuals familiar with the talks stated that as an exchange for Ukraine handing over the Donetsk region, Putin said he would freeze the front lines in southern Kherson and Zaporizhia (where Russian forces control large areas of land) and would not launch new offensives to seize more territory. Those familiar with Zelensky's thinking indicated that he would not agree to hand over Donetsk but was willing to discuss territorial issues with Trump in Washington — the two are expected to meet on Monday in Washington. (Golden Ten)