US President Donald Trump stated he intends to negotiate the return of some territory to Ukraine during his upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. At a White House news conference, Trump remarked, “Russia’s occupied a big portion of Ukraine. They occupied prime territory. We’re going to try to get some of that territory back for Ukraine.” The leaders are scheduled to meet in Alaska by the end of the week. Trump expressed confidence in gauging the potential for progress within two minutes of meeting Putin, describing Friday’s meeting as a preliminary session aimed at persuading Putin to cease hostilities, indicating it might be just an initial dialogue.
Trump also mentioned potential “swapping, changes in land” between Russia and Ukraine. Despite previously mentioning “land-swapping,” the specifics of any land Russia might return to Ukraine remain unclear, as Kyiv has made no claims on Russian territories. Trump plans to brief European leaders on any “fair deal” proposed by Putin during their talks, emphasizing that he would consult Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky first “out of respect.”
Trump stated, “I’ll call him first… I’ll call him after, and I may say, ‘lots of luck, keep fighting,’ or I may say, ‘we can make a deal.'” While asserting a good rapport with Zelensky, Trump acknowledged a “severe disagreement” with the Ukrainian president’s actions and previously blamed Zelensky for the conflict, triggered by Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Trump has not ruled out a future three-way meeting with himself, Zelensky, and Putin.
Kaja Kallas, vice-president of the European Commission, told the BBC that Putin aims to “divide territories and spheres of influence” in talks with Trump. She emphasized that Europe would not accept any deal without Ukraine’s agreement, stressing the necessity of Ukraine’s involvement at the negotiation table. She also hoped Zelensky would be invited to the meeting. Despite Putin’s recent statements indicating that conditions for a meeting with Zelensky are not yet met, the Kremlin has downplayed expectations of such an encounter.
Trump announced the meeting with Putin last Friday, coinciding with his deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire or face additional US sanctions. Zelensky warned that agreements made without Kyiv’s participation would be “dead decisions,” referencing an intelligence report that found no indications of Russia preparing to end the conflict in Ukraine.
Zelensky is expected to join a virtual meeting with Trump, US Vice-President JD Vance, and EU leaders on Wednesday. A spokesman for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz mentioned inviting leaders, as well as EU and Nato officials, to discuss exerting pressure on Moscow ahead of Trump’s meeting with Putin. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian PM Mark Carney, during a phone conversation, agreed that any peace agreement “must be built with Ukraine – not imposed upon it,” according to a Downing Street spokesperson, and pledged to work closely with both Trump and Zelensky in the coming days.