End of the war? Moscow and Kiev may swap territories

A territory swap between Ukraine and Russia to end the war started by Moscow could be on the agenda of a summit between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, according to reports, and a Newsweek map shows the areas that could be discussed, Focus reports.

The Kremlin said on Thursday that Russia and the US had agreed on the location of the meeting, which could take place in the coming days, and Putin later said it could take place in the United Arab Emirates.

Bloomberg reported that Trump had told his allies that he was optimistic about a ceasefire and that Putin would be open to peace talks if the discussions included an exchange of territories affected by the Russian invasion.

USA they previously offered to recognize Russia's control over fully annexed and partially occupied Ukrainian regions, which was rejected by Kiev.

Elina Beketova, a fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), told the American magazine that Kiev's position had not changed and that the country was determined to preserve its statehood and territorial integrity, as stated in the Ukrainian constitution.

Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 after a full-scale invasion and has now partially seized the Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhia regions. Putin claims to have annexed these regions, but Russia does not fully control them.

Trump has suggested that peace talks could include discussions about swapping territories currently occupied by Russia in exchange for a ceasefire.

The idea, often referred to as a "territory swap", has sparked intense debate, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently rejected any preconditions that include the surrender of sovereign territory before a full and unconditional ceasefire.

Putin met with Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff at the Kremlin on Wednesday, as part of the US administration's latest move to end the war in Ukraine.

Putin's presidential adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said the two discussed "prospects for strategic cooperation" between Russia and the United States and exchanged "signals" regarding Ukraine.

He also said that Russia and the United States had agreed on a meeting venue for talks next week, without disclosing the location or exact date.

Putin said on Thursday that the UAE could be the venue, although the White House said the location had not yet been determined but the meeting could take place “as early as next week“.

Ushakov added that Witkoff had suggested a three-way meeting involving Putin, Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, although Russia has not commented on the proposal.

During a phone call with allies, including Zelensky, Trump was optimistic about the possibility of a ceasefire, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the conversation.

Trump also suggested that Putin would be open to starting peace talks in exchange for discussing a territory swap, the outlet reported.

Witkoff had previously suggested that the US recognize Crimea as Russian and effectively cede control over parts of other Ukrainian regions that Moscow partially occupies, which was widely criticized.

Bloomberg added that such a deal, which would include returning control of the Zaporizhia and Kherson regions to Ukraine, could be discussed.

Zelensky has consistently rejected any deal that involves giving up sovereign territory before a full and unconditional ceasefire, and said in April that territorial issues would only be addressed after a full cessation of hostilities.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko told the BBC in April that Ukraine may have to temporarily cede territory for the sake of peace, amid growing pressure from Trump to accept territorial concessions, but polls in Ukraine show public resistance to territorial concessions.

Beketova told the American publication that it was unclear what kind of concessions could be offered to Russia, "given that its appetite seems insatiable", and questioned whether there could be any talk of concessions at all when the aggressor has invaded the sovereign territory of another state.

Regardless of the outcome, Ukraine remains determined to restore its territorial integrity and increase its military production, ideally with the continued support of its Western allies, she said.

While there is broad consensus that the war must end and that Russia must stop its aggression, many Ukrainians recognize that the war could go on for a long time and that Ukraine is not seeking just a truce but a lasting peace, Beketova added.

Polish media outlet Onet reported on Thursday that it had learned the details of the US proposal presented to Putin during the talks with Witkoff.

These include a ceasefire, although not a full peace agreement, de facto recognition of the territories seized by Russia by postponing the issue of their status for 49 or 99 years, and the lifting of sanctions.

David Sacconi, an expert on Russian politics at George Washington University, told the magazine that Ukraine has little desire for any territorial deal, especially one negotiated without its participation.

He added that the personal meeting with Trump is in Putin’s favor, as the Russian leader hopes that personal, unstructured dialogue will allow him to push the American leader towards concessions, such as blocking Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO or lifting sanctions.