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Following the announcement that the U.S. will host a summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in his address early Saturday morning that Kyiv would work with Trump and other allies for a peace deal. However, he rejected any land swaps, insisting that Ukraine would not “reward Russia” for its aggression.
In response to reports suggesting that the U.S. might require Ukraine to cede territory to end the war, Zelensky emphasized that no one would deviate from the Ukrainian Constitution, which clearly defines territorial questions. He noted that Ukrainians will not gift their land to the occupier.
The Kremlin confirmed Trump’s announcement on Friday of a meeting in Alaska scheduled for August 15 between U.S. and Russian presidents. During his comments to reporters, Trump hinted at “some swapping of territories” being necessary for peace but did not specify further.
Oleh Shamshur, nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, stated that Trump is clinging to the idea of negotiating with Putin as a partner rather than an adversary. Ceding large swathes of Ukrainian territory in the Donbas to Russia would be a major victory for Russia and a severe blow to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated that any concessions would lead to further Russian aggression, both within Ukraine and potentially targeting NATO members. Both Ukraine and its European partners must participate in these talks for lasting peace on the European continent, according to Yuriy Boyechko from Hope for Ukraine.
The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) warned that Ukrainian surrender of the rest of the Donetsk region for a ceasefire without commitment to final peace would allow Russian forces to prepare to renew attacks under more favorable terms. This would force Ukraine to abandon its main defensive line in the Donetsk region with no guarantees that fighting will not resume.
Planning for next Friday’s meeting in Alaska is ongoing, and there will be anticipation over how Trump handles Russian demands, including Ukraine abandoning NATO aspirations.
📚 Reading Comprehension Quiz
According to the passage, what stance did President Volodymyr Zelensky take regarding land swaps with Russia?
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