A land swap between Ukraine and Russia to end the war started by Moscow could be on the agenda for the summit between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, it has been reported, as a map by Newsweek shows the areas that may be under discussion.
The Kremlin said Thursday that Russia and the U.S. had agreed on a venue for the meeting which could take place in the coming days and that Putin later said could be held in the United Arab Emirates.
Bloomberg reported that Trump had told allies he was positive about a ceasefire and that Putin would be open to entering into peace talks if discussions included exchanging land involved in Russia’s invasion.
The U.S. had previously offered to recognize Russia’s hold over fully annexed and partially occupied Ukrainian regions, which has been rejected by Kyiv.
Elina Beketova, fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) told Newsweek that Kyiv’s position has not changed and is committed to preserving its statehood and territorial integrity, as outlined in the Ukrainian Constitution.
Newsweek has contacted the Ukrainian foreign ministry for comment.
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Why It Matters
Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014 and following its full-scale invasion and now partially occupies the Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia regions. Putin has claimed to have annexed these regions but Russia does not fully control them.
Trump has suggested peace talks could include discussions about exchanging territory Russia currently occupies in return for a ceasefire.
The idea often termed a “land swap,” has sparked intense debate but Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently rejected any precondition that involves ceding sovereign land prior to a full, unconditional ceasefire.
What To Know
Putin met with Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in the Kremlin on Wednesday in the latest step by the U.S. administration to end the war in Ukraine.
Putin’s presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said that the pair discussed “prospects for strategic cooperation” between Russia and the United States and exchanged “signals” regarding Ukraine.
He also said that Russia and the U.S. had agreed on a venue for the meeting with the aim of holding talks next week, without revealing the location or exact date.
Putin said on Thursday that the UAE could be a venue although the White House told Newsweek on Thursday that a location had not yet been decided but it could take place “as early as next week.”
Ushakov added that Witkoff had floated a trilateral meeting involving Putin, Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, although Russia did not comment on that proposal, according to Russian state media.
During a phone call with allies that included Zelensky, Trump was positive about the possibility of a ceasefire, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the call.
Trump also suggested that Putin would be open to entering into peace talks in exchange for discussing land swaps, the outlet reported.
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Putin seized Crimea in 2014 and partially occupies but does not fully control the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
Witkoff had previously put forward a suggestion for the U.S. to recognize Crimea as Russian and effectively cede control of parts of other Ukrainian regions that Moscow partially occupies, which was widely criticized.
Bloomberg reported that such a deal, which included the control over areas of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson returning to Ukraine, could be discussed.
Zelensky has consistently rejected any deal that involves ceding sovereign land prior to a full, unconditional ceasefire and said in April that territorial issues would only be addressed after hostilities cease entirely.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko told the BBC in April that Ukraine may have to temporarily give up land for peace amid a growing pressure from Trump to accept territorial concessions but polling in Ukraine reveals public resistance to territorial concessions.
Beketova told Newsweek Thursday it was unclear what kind of concession Russia could be offered, “given that its appetite seems insatiable” and questioned where it can even be called a concession when an aggressor invaded another country’s sovereign territory.
Regardless of the outcome, Ukraine remains determined to restore its territorial integrity and increase its domestic military production, ideally with continued support from Western allies, she said.
While there is broad consensus that the war must end and that Russia should cease its aggression, many Ukrainians acknowledge that the war may continue for a long time and that what Ukraine seeks is not just a ceasefire, but a sustainable peace, Beketova added.
European Pravda, citing the Polish outlet Onet reported Thursday it had learned the details of a U.S. proposal presented to Putin during talks with Witkoff.
These included a ceasefire although not a full peace agreement, de facto recognition of Russian-occupied territories by postponing the status issue for 49 or 99 years, as well as a lifting of sanctions.
David Szakonyi, an expert on Russian politics from George Washington University, told Newsweek that Ukraine has little appetite for any land deal, especially one negotiated without its involvement.
He added that a one-on-one meeting with Trump plays directly into Putin’s hands with the Russian leader hoping that personal, unstructured dialogue can allow him to steer the U.S. leader toward concessions, such as blocking Ukraine’s NATO aspirations or lifting sanctions.
What People Are Saying
Bloomberg reported that Trump “suggested that Putin would be open to entering into peace talks in exchange for discussing land swaps.”
Elina Beketova, fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA): “Ukraine’s position has not changed— the country is committed to preserving its statehood and territorial integrity, as outlined in the Ukrainian Constitution.”
David Szakonyi, associate professor, George Washington University, Washington, DC: “Ukraine has little appetite for any land deal, especially one negotiated without its involvement.
He added: “What Kyiv really wants are firm security guarantees from the United States to deter future Russian aggression, exactly the kind of commitment Moscow is eager to prevent.”
The White House in a statement to Newsweek: “No location has been determined. A meeting could occur as early as next week.”
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on X: “Ukraine is not afraid of meetings and expects the same brave approach from the Russian side. It is time we ended the war.”
What Happens Next
Putin teased the UAE as a location for talks with Trump but the White House told Newsweek Thursday that neither a venue nor a date had been confirmed but a meeting could happen next week.
