As former U.S. President Donald Trump prepares for a high-stakes summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, concerns are mounting in Kyiv and across Europe. The central fear: Trump may be considering a territorial swap deal that could alter Ukraine’s borders—without Ukraine’s consent.
Since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the launch of its full-scale invasion in 2022, Moscow has seized and now controls around 20% of Ukrainian territory, including key parts of the Donbas region and a strategic corridor to Crimea. Despite international condemnation, Russia continues to push for more land, particularly in Donetsk and Luhansk, where Ukrainian forces have held firm for years.
Now, vague remarks by Trump—referencing possible land deals, including “ocean-front property”—have triggered alarm. While the Kremlin reportedly wants Ukraine to surrender more ground in the east, Ukraine’s President Zelensky insists on a full ceasefire without concessions. European allies back him, warning against any peace plan that involves redrawing borders under military pressure.
Maps show the evolving front lines and highlight Russia’s ambitions in the east and south, including possible interest in freezing gains in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. However, with both sides suffering heavy losses and neither willing to compromise, the idea of a territorial agreement remains highly controversial—and, for now, unlikely.
