Zelensky Open to Territorial Exchange with Russia Amid Negotiation Talks with Trump
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently indicated a willingness to negotiate a direct exchange of territories with Russia, should U.S. President Donald Trump facilitate discussions aimed at ending the ongoing war, which is nearing its third anniversary. In an interview with The Guardian, Zelensky outlined a potential scenario where Ukraine could concede land in the Russian region of Kursk, an area that Kyiv has maintained since a surprise offensive six months ago. "We will exchange one territory for another," he stated, though he admitted uncertainty regarding which Russian-occupied areas Ukraine might seek in return, emphasizing that all territories are significant and there are no specific priorities.
Trump, who has reiterated his desire to conclude the conflict in Ukraine, has drawn skepticism from some quarters, particularly regarding the implications a U.S.-mediated deal could have on Ukraine's sovereignty, particularly the demands of Russian President Vladimir Putin. In response, Zelensky expressed that he would only engage in negotiations from a position of strength and hinted at a strategy to align Trump with Ukraine's interests by offering lucrative contracts for reconstruction and investment opportunities to American businesses. "Those who are helping us defend Ukraine will have the opportunity to renew it with their companies in partnership with Ukrainian firms. We are ready to discuss all these things in detail," he stated.
Zelensky also cautioned that should Trump decide to withdraw military and economic support for Ukraine, Europe would struggle to fill the resulting void. He dismissed the notion that Europe could provide security guarantees independent of U.S. involvement, asserting that "security guarantees without the United States are not real security guarantees."
In a related context, Trump expressed on Fox News that in exchange for continued support to Ukraine, he seeks priority access to the nation’s vast reserves of rare earth minerals, including uranium and titanium. Zelensky countered this assertion, emphasizing that it serves U.S. interests to ensure these resources do not fall into Russian hands, potentially benefiting adversaries such as North Korea, China, or Iran. He asserted, "We are not only talking about security but also about money," highlighting the potential benefits for both nations through investment in these valuable natural resources, which he believes could generate jobs for Ukrainians and profits for American companies.
As discussions unfold, Zelensky indicated that no specific date has been set for a meeting with Trump, although both leaders’ teams are actively coordinating their schedules. This dialogue occurs just ahead of the Munich Security Conference, where Zelensky is slated to meet U.S. Vice President JD Vance, a figure known for a more critical stance regarding the war.
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