KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has vowed that “Ukrainians will not give their land to occupiers,” after US President Donald Trump suggested the war’s end would involve “some swapping of territories” ahead of a planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready for genuine peace solutions, but any agreement made without Kyiv’s participation would be “against peace” and achieve nothing.
Trump announced he will meet Putin next Friday in Alaska. Russian media confirmed the date and location. Trump said the meeting had been delayed due to “security arrangements” and claimed both sides could benefit from territory exchanges — without providing details.
Bloomberg reported the possible deal could formalize some of Russia’s territorial gains, effectively freezing the battle lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, while US and Russian officials discussed halting Russia’s offensive in exchange for concessions.
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said after talks with Zelenskyy that there were signs a “freeze” in the conflict might be near, though Zelenskyy was “cautious but optimistic.”
Trump has also recently raised tariffs on Indian oil imports from Russia, sparking tensions with New Delhi.
Putin, for his part, said he was not ready to meet Zelenskyy yet, though the Kremlin confirmed preparations for the Trump meeting were underway.
