Ukraine Rejects US-Proposed Territorial Swap with Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected a "territorial swap" proposal floated by US President Donald Trump as a potential peace deal. Zelensky stated Ukraine would not surrender land or reward Russian aggression. His comments came as US and European officials met to discuss diplomatic solutions. The rejection casts doubt on a planned summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, which Zelensky declared would be "null and void" if Ukraine is not a participant.
Unpacked:
Leaks indicate the main focus is on Donetsk, with Russia demanding Ukrainian withdrawal from the entire Donbas region and recognition of Crimea as Russian. There is ambiguity about whether Russia would also withdraw from other occupied southern territories as part of the deal.
They argue that surrendering land would legitimize Russian aggression and violate Ukraine’s constitution. Both Ukraine and Europe insist that any peace must include Ukraine as an active participant and cannot involve rewarding territorial conquest.
Excluding Ukraine would undermine the legitimacy of any agreement and could deepen mistrust among Ukrainian and European leaders. Zelensky has stated that decisions made without Ukraine would be 'null and void,' and Europe echoes that Ukraine’s future cannot be decided without its people.
Unlike the Minsk agreements, which involved ceasefires and negotiations with Ukrainian participation, this proposal centers on Ukraine giving up specific territories without direct input. The Minsk process also failed partly due to disagreements over territorial control and implementation.