US President Donald Trump has indicated that any peace deal between Ukraine and Russia will involve the exchange of territories, as he announced plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. Speaking without providing specifics, Trump stated, “We’re gonna get some [territory] back. We’re gonna get some switched. There’ll be some swapping of territories, to the betterment of both.” Kyiv has not yet commented on the proposal.
The meeting, confirmed by Russian state media citing Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, has been scheduled for next Friday in Alaska. Putin, however, expressed reluctance to meet Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying conditions are not yet in place for such a summit. “I have nothing against it in general, it is possible, but certain conditions must be created for this,” Putin remarked. Ushakov added that another summit with Trump could be held in Moscow, extending an invitation.
Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk suggested a potential “freeze” in the conflict may be imminent, following discussions with Zelenskyy and European leaders. “There are certain signals... that perhaps a freeze in the conflict is closer than it is further away,” Tusk said. However, Zelenskyy reported no cessation of hostilities, noting over 100 drone strikes and continued assaults on Ukrainian positions, and stressed the need for pressure on Russia to achieve a ceasefire.
In a separate development, Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, who died in Russian captivity last year at age 27, was buried in Kyiv. Colleagues and relatives honoured her courage in reporting on extrajudicial detentions and torture in occupied areas. Her body was returned with some internal organs missing.
