US President Donald Trump said he will raise the question of returning territory to Ukraine when he meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, calling the encounter a “feel‑out meeting” aimed at pressing Putin to end the war.
“There’s a big portion of Ukraine that’s occupied. They occupied prime territory. We’re going to try to get some of that territory back for Ukraine,” Trump told reporters, adding that talks could include “some swapping, changes in land.” He said he would update European leaders if Putin proposed what he considered a “fair deal” and that, “out of respect,” he would phone Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky before speaking to others and again after the talks.
The suggestion of so‑called “land‑swapping” has raised immediate questions. Kyiv has not laid claim to Russian territory, and Ukrainian officials have warned that any deal struck without Ukraine’s direct participation would be unacceptable. After news of the Alaska summit, Zelensky called agreements made without Kyiv “dead decisions.”
The meeting follows a White House deadline set by Mr. Trump for Russia to agree to a ceasefire or face additional U.S. sanctions; the Alaska talks are scheduled for Aug. 15. Russia currently holds territory inside Ukraine as a result of its 2022 full‑scale invasion — occupying a significant portion of Ukrainian land — and proposals to formalize any territorial changes are politically and legally fraught.
European leaders and many NATO partners have stressed that Ukraine must be central to any negotiated settlement and that borders should not be altered by force. Diplomats have argued that negotiating land changes while hostilities continue risks coerced concessions; many officials insist a ceasefire, verifiable security guarantees and Ukrainian consent are preconditions for a durable outcome.
Trump also reiterated past criticisms of Zelensky’s decisions during the war, saying he and Zelensky “get along” but that he “very severely disagrees” with some of the Ukrainian president’s actions. Trump has previously blamed Zelensky for aspects of the conflict, remarks that have been controversial among Western allies and in Kyiv.
Commentary and context
– What “land‑swapping” could mean is unclear: proposals discussed in diplomatic circles have ranged from de facto arrangements on front‑line control to formal territorial concessions, but any agreement that changes borders without Ukraine’s willing consent would likely face legal, political and practical obstacles.
– A credible path to peace typically requires three elements: a ceasefire that reduces coercive battlefield pressure, Ukrainian participation in negotiations about its future, and enforceable security guarantees (such as international monitoring, peacekeepers or treaty arrangements) to prevent renewed aggression.
– High‑level talks between the U.S. and Russia could create openings for diplomacy, but European leaders and Kyiv have emphasized that meaningful progress will depend on multilateral engagement and protections for Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Suggested additions for publication
– A short timeline of recent diplomatic steps (e.g., the U.S. self‑imposed deadline, the Alaska summit date, recent Chevening consultations between European partners).
– Reactions from Ukrainian government officials, opposition parties and civil society to capture domestic views inside Ukraine.
– An explainer on potential forms of security guarantees and how they might be enforced.
– A simple map showing areas currently under Russian control and the front line to help readers visualize stakes.
Hopeful note
High‑level engagement—even if initially exploratory—keeps diplomatic channels open. If any negotiations move forward with Ukraine at the table, a verified ceasefire and strong international guarantees could create a foundation for reducing violence and eventually negotiating a stable, long‑term settlement that protects Ukrainian sovereignty and civilian safety.
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