Trump proposes Ukraine to exchange territory with Russia

• Zelensky rejected Trump’s proposal for an exchange of territory.
• Russia controls part of Ukrainian lands, including Crimea.
• Society supports the preservation of the conflict as the best solution.

During the upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ankara, Trump expressed the idea of a possible exchange of Ukrainian territories for other lands, which provoked a negative reaction in Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky categorically rejected this proposal, stating that Ukrainians "will not give up their land to the occupiers." According to him, such an agreement would be politically problematic and would violate the Constitution of Ukraine, which prohibits changes to territorial borders without a nationwide referendum.

As of today, Russia controls nearly five percent of the territory of Ukraine, including significant areas in the east, such as Luhansk and Donetsk, as well as Crimea, which was illegally annexed in 2014.

Experts, including former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba, emphasize that withdrawing from the territory signifies a risk of renewed aggression from Russia. They believe that maintaining the conflict on the current front line is the only acceptable option for Ukraine, as it allows for the preservation of human resources and preparation for possible offensives.

It is noted that any changes to the territorial integrity of Ukraine can only be recognized based on the will of the people, therefore Trump’s proposal does not hold real weight in the Ukrainian context.

In light of these events, Ukrainian society remains focused on defending its borders, as well as on support from Western partners in military assistance to ensure the country's security.

Tags: Ukraine/Russia/Politics