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Russia responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that there might be a “swapping of territories” as part of a deal to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by citing its constitution.
Trump is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday to discuss a peace deal. Territorial control is a key issue; Russia has seized about one-fifth of Ukrainian land in the east, while Ukraine controls no Russian territory.
In response to Trump’s suggestion that Russia and Ukraine could swap land, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Alexei Fadeev said at a news briefing on Wednesday that there was “no need to even invent anything territorial.” He stated, “The structure of the Russian Federation is enshrined in the Constitution of our country,” which he said covered all necessary points. Additionally, he noted that Putin’s delegation in Alaska would aim exclusively to serve national interests.
Ukraine also asserts its constitution forbids it from conceding any territory to Russia, including Crimea, a strategic Black Sea peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014.
Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow on August 6.
Contributor/Getty Images
Trump on Russia-Ukraine Land Swap
On August 8, Trump was asked about whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would have to give up territory as part of a peace deal. Trump responded, “Well, you’re looking at territory that’s been fought over for three and a half years. You know, a lot of Russians have died. A lot of Ukrainians have died,” before adding, “So we’re looking at that, but we’re actually looking to get some back. Some swapping. It’s complicated.” He continued, “We’re going to get some back. We’re going to get some switched. There’ll be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both, but we’ll be talking about that either later or tomorrow.”
Europe Urges Trump
The war continues as Russia attempts to extend its control over eastern Ukraine before the Alaska summit with Putin, which would provide Putin additional leverage. For months, Trump has sought to broker an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine but has grown frustrated recently due to Moscow’s intensified aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Ukraine and European allies are urging Trump not to consent to any territorial concessions without Kyiv’s agreement, warning that doing so would reward Russia for using force to resolve disputes and have grave implications for regional security. On Wednesday, European leaders and Zelensky will speak with Trump to gauge his position before the talks with Putin.
Russia claimed it invaded Ukraine to halt its ambitions to join NATO and to stop what it said was the persecution of ethnic Russians in the country. Kyiv accuses Russia of an imperial war of conquest seeking to eradicate Ukrainian sovereignty and culture, folding it under Moscow’s control before deepening ties with the West through the European Union and NATO.
Updated 8/13/25, 7:47 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with more information.
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