President Volodymyr Zelensky stated he deliberate to trade territories if U.S. President Donald Trump succeeds in bringing Ukraine and Russia to the negotiating desk, in keeping with an interview with The Guardian revealed on Feb. 11.
Ukraine launched a shock cross-border incursion into Russia's Kursk Oblast in August 2024, initially capturing round 1,300 sq. kilometers (500 sq. miles) of territory. Whereas Ukrainian forces have since misplaced roughly half that space, they not too long ago superior 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) within the area in a brand new offensive.
The Ukrainian navy continues to carry Russian territory that would play "an vital half" in future negotiations, Zelensky beforehand stated.
"We are going to swap one territory for one more," Zelensky instructed The Guardian, with out specifying which Russian-occupied land Ukraine would search in return.
"I don't know, we’ll see. However all our territories are vital, there is no such thing as a precedence," he stated.
Discuss of ending Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has elevated as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump took workplace on Jan. 20.
The brand new administration goals to finish Russia's warfare in opposition to Ukraine 100 days from inauguration, Keith Kellogg, Trump's particular Ukraine peace envoy, stated on Jan. 8.
In response to sources in Ukraine's President's Workplace, cited by RBC-Ukraine, Kellogg will go to Ukraine on Feb. 20 after the Munich Safety Convention.
On Feb. 7, the U.S. president revealed he goals to satisfy Zelensky in Washington the next week. He additionally not too long ago stated that the U.S. desires entry to Ukraine's uncommon earth minerals in trade for assist. Zelensky has responded that Kyiv is open to mining offers with companions.
Trump has additionally allegedly spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending the warfare. The U.S. president instructed the New York Publish he had a concrete plan to finish the warfare, including, "I hope it's quick. Day by day, persons are dying. This warfare is so unhealthy in Ukraine. I need to finish this rattling factor."
The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek