Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated his openness to negotiating land exchanges with Russia, which coincided with the release of at least one American prisoner. This gesture was described by US President Donald Trump as a goodwill effort toward ending the ongoing conflict between the two nations. Zelensky’s position marks a significant shift; he had previously vowed not to cede any territory following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In an interview with The Guardian published on Tuesday, Zelensky expressed that Ukraine was ready for serious negotiations ahead of his upcoming meeting on Friday at the Munich Security Conference with US Vice President JD Vance, who has been a vocal critic of US military support to Ukraine. He specifically mentioned a willingness to trade land in Russia’s Kursk region, which Ukraine had seized during a surprise offensive last year. Zelensky stressed the importance of US support, stating, “Security guarantees without America are not real security guarantees.”
Trump was quoted as having a plan to potentially end the war in Ukraine by leveraging the billions of dollars in US assistance sent under former President Joe Biden to entice Kyiv into making territorial concessions. In a notable event, Steve Witkoff, a member of Trump’s administration and currently the Middle East envoy, managed to secure the release of Marc Fogel, an American detained in Russia since 2021. Trump commented positively on the treatment received from Russia during Fogel’s release, expressing hope that this could mark the beginning of a new relationship aimed at resolving the war.
Fogel, who was imprisoned on drug charges, was welcomed back to the US by Trump at the White House on Tuesday evening. Trump shared emotional moments, including a recounting of his meeting with Fogel’s 95-year-old mother. The White House referred to Fogel’s release as part of an “exchange,” with Trump indicating that another detainee would be released soon, although details remained vague.
The Kremlin’s reaction to recent remarks from Trump, who suggested that “Ukraine may be Russian someday,” received a welcome response in Moscow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov pointed out the realities of parts of Ukraine wanting to join Russia, referencing the 2022 annexation of four regions in Ukraine following referendums widely deemed illegitimate. Meanwhile, reactions from Ukrainians included skepticism and derision, with some calling the statement “senile insanity.”
In the realm of military activity, Russian forces claimed to have taken over the village of Yasenove in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region. Concurrently, missile strikes from Russia caused casualties in Kyiv and across Ukraine’s northern Sumy region.
The context of US-Russian relations has been strained since Biden cut off most contact following Russia’s invasion. Nonetheless, exchanges of prisoners have continued, enabling the release of significant detainees, including basketball player Britney Griner and journalist Evan Gershkovich.
Fogel, 63, had been residing in Russia and teaching at the Anglo-American School in Moscow before his arrest in August 2021 for possession of cannabis. He was reported to have been teaching English while incarcerated.
