Zelensky
Ukraine is prepared to propose a territorial swap with Russia as part of any future peace negotiations, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview published Tuesday. The Ukrainian leader emphasized that Europe alone could not bear the burden of supporting Kyiv’s war effort, stressing the need for continued U.S. involvement.
Zelensky is set to meet U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Friday at the Munich Security Conference, according to his spokesperson. The meeting comes as Washington pushes for an end to the nearly three-year war between Ukraine and Russia. Vance, known for his skepticism of U.S. aid to Ukraine, has frequently criticized American financial and military support for Kyiv’s defense.
In an interview with the Guardian, Zelensky rejected the notion that Europe could provide sufficient security guarantees for Ukraine without the involvement of the United States. “There are voices that say Europe could offer security guarantees without the Americans, and I always say no,” he stated. “Security guarantees without America are not real security guarantees.”
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed a strong desire for a swift resolution to the conflict, raising concerns in Ukraine about the terms of any proposed settlement. Trump recently confirmed that he would soon send his special envoy, Keith Kellogg, to Ukraine to draft a peace proposal.
During the interview, Zelensky suggested that Ukraine would be willing to trade land it seized in Russia’s Kursk region six months ago in exchange for Ukrainian territory currently occupied by Russian forces.
However, he did not specify which regions Ukraine would seek in return. “We will swap one territory for another,” he said. “I don’t know which ones yet, but all our territories are important—there is no priority.”
Russia claims to have annexed five Ukrainian regions—Crimea in 2014 and Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia in 2022—though it does not fully control them. Kyiv continues to reject Russia’s annexation claims, insisting on the full restoration of its internationally recognized borders.
Beyond territorial negotiations, Ukraine is seeking concrete security commitments from the United States, including military assurances and NATO membership.
Zelensky has expressed concerns that any settlement without firm military backing could provide the Kremlin with an opportunity to regroup and launch future attacks.
To strengthen U.S. support, Zelensky has proposed offering American companies lucrative reconstruction contracts as part of Ukraine’s post-war recovery. He argued that such investments would benefit both Ukraine and American businesses. “Those who are helping us to save Ukraine will renovate it, with their businesses together with Ukrainian businesses,” he said.
Ukraine, which possesses some of Europe’s largest mineral reserves, is eager to attract foreign investment in its natural resources sector.
Zelensky warned that it was not in the interests of the United States to allow these valuable resources to fall under Russian control. “We can offer our partners possibilities that didn’t exist before to invest in them. For us, it will create jobs; for American companies, it will create profits,” he added.
The Munich Security Conference takes place amid escalating tensions on Ukraine’s eastern front, where Russian forces have advanced in the Donetsk region.
Over the past year, Moscow has captured several settlements, many of which have been devastated by prolonged bombardment. With fighting intensifying, the outcome of upcoming diplomatic discussions could prove critical for Ukraine’s future.
