Gregg Jarrett breaks down what conditions Russia and Ukraine need met ‘to say they’re winners’

Fox legal analyst Gregg Jarrett said Friday on Fox Business’ “The Evening Edit” that if both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy can come to agree on what territory to control then a ceasefire could allow them to both say “they’re winners.”

Putin and President Donald Trump met Friday in Anchorage, Alaska, for a landmark summit, as Trump has repeatedly called for peace between Ukraine and Russia. While discussing the potential outcomes of the negotiations, Fox Business host Elizabeth MacDonald asked Jarrett if he believes a cease-fire could be accomplished after the meeting.

“I think he has a good chance at a ceasefire here,” Jarrett said. “But, you know, the real challenge, Liz, comes later, offering Vladimir Putin something that makes him look like a winner to his own people. That might be security assurances, reduction of Western military support of Ukraine, probably some sort of land swap. For example, a portion of the Donbas region in the corridor, which Russia now mostly controls.”

WATCH:

“So, you know, Zelenskyy is refusing to do that. But anything is negotiable with enough incentives,” Jarrett added. “You can give Zelenskyy some of the property back. Putin gains some of the territory. They both get to say they’re winners. So that could be the possibility. But it’s got to take place with European leaders as well as Zelenskyy in subsequent meetings.”

The much-anticipated meeting between Trump and Putin comes after Trump gave the Russian president 50 days to come to the table to discuss a cease-fire. Before setting that timeline, Trump sent offensive weapons to Ukraine and threatened Russia with “severe” sanctions and tariffs as Putin showed reluctance to hold any discussions with Ukraine.

The president later shortened Putin’s timeline again, vowing to impose sweeping secondary tariffs and sanctions against key Russian industries.

After U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin in a last effort on Aug. 6, reports indicated that Putin said he would consider halting the war in exchange for Kyiv giving up the Russian-speaking Donbas region. Zelenskyy has since pushed back on the idea, telling reporters Tuesday, “For Russians, Donbas is a bridgehead for a future new offensive,” according to the Business Standard.

Latest posts by Hailey Gomez (see all)

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.