Zelenskyy: Europe cannot guarantee Ukraine’s security without America
GuardianFeb 09
Russia Rejects Zelenskyy's Territory Swap Proposal
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Above: Zelenskyy and Trump at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris, France, on Dec. 7, 2024. Image copyright: Ukrainian Presidency/Contributor/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Facts
Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday proposed exchanging territory in Russia's Kursk region, which Ukraine currently controls, for Russian-occupied Ukrainian land to end the conflict between the two countries if talks with Putin take place.
However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday stated that Russia has never and will never discuss exchanging its territory, emphasizing that Ukrainian forces in Russian territory would either be destroyed or pushed out.
The territorial swap proposal comes as Ukraine seeks to engage in peace negotiations, with US Pres. Donald Trump's administration reportedly engaged in serious discussions to broker a deal to end the war between Kyiv and Moscow.
The Spin
Pro-Ukraine narrative
Zelenskyy's territorial swap proposal highlights Ukraine's willingness to negotiate pragmatically for peace while maintaining its sovereignty. The offer aims to leverage Ukraine's control of Kursk to secure the return of other occupied territories, while also seeking crucial security guarantees from Western allies to ensure long-term stability.
Pro-Russia narrative
Any discussion of exchanging Russian territory is completely unacceptable and impossible. Ukrainian forces occupying Russian land will face elimination or expulsion, and Russia will maintain its position on the territories it currently controls. The continued missile strikes on Ukrainian targets demonstrate Russia's military resolve.
