Trump: We Will Discuss Borders and Land Exchange with Putin

Donald Trump has confirmed that he and Vladimir Putin will discuss the issue of "land exchange" during a sensitive meeting on the Ukraine war scheduled for Friday in Alaska. However, the U.S. president expressed dissatisfaction with Volodymyr Zelensky’s setting of conditions for such a potential agreement.

Trump stated at a White House press conference on Monday that he was upset by Zelensky’s insistence on holding a national referendum to approve any peace agreement that would include recognizing Russian control over territories occupied during the war.

Trump said, “I was somewhat upset when I saw Zelensky say he must get constitutional approval. He is allowed to go to war and kill everyone, but for a land exchange, he must get approval. Because some land exchange is going to take place. I know this both through Russia and through talks with everyone.”

European diplomats have been surprised by the lack of clarity on the American side regarding the territories Putin is demanding from Ukraine and the conditions for a ceasefire. Discrepancies in American reports about Russia’s demands have worried European diplomats and increased fears that Trump, by overstating his personal relationship with Putin, might grant dangerous concessions.

Explaining his view on the peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, Trump said that the deal would include “good things, not bad things, although a few bad things for both sides.” He added, “We will change the lines, the battle lines.”