President Donald Trump has offered a glimpse into his vision for peace in Ukraine, describing a “very complicated” process that would involve a swap of land between the warring nations. This controversial framework was revealed as he announced his August 15 summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
According to Trump, a potential deal would see some territories “switched” and “swapped… to the betterment of both.” While he suggested Ukraine would “get some back,” the language implies that Russia would be allowed to retain some of the land it has occupied since the 2022 invasion, a scenario many view as a reward for aggression.
This vision puts him at odds with the long-standing position of Ukraine and many of its allies, who call for the full restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity. His willingness to discuss such a compromise has sparked fears that he is prepared to pressure Kyiv into accepting a deeply unfavorable peace.
As the summit approaches, the world is waiting to see if Trump’s vision for a pragmatic, if messy, land swap can form the basis of a real agreement, or if it is a non-starter for a Ukrainian nation determined to “stand our ground” and reclaim all its territory.