Russia will never discuss exchanging territories with Ukraine: Kremlin
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Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told The Guardian that he did not rule out a territorial exchange with Russia.
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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov speaks to journalists prior to Russian President Vladimir Putin's annual news conference and call-in show at Gostinny Dvor in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Russia has never addressed and will not debate the topic of trading territory; this is unthinkable, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov underscored on Wednesday.
Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told The Guardian that he did not rule out a territorial exchange with Russia.
Peskov told reporters this was "impossible," detailing that Russia "has never discussed and will not discuss the topic of exchanging its territory."
"Of course, the Ukrainian formations will be pushed out from this territory, all those who will not be destroyed will be pushed out," he added.
The diplomat indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia are open to peace negotiations; this is a consistent attitude that is widely recognized globally.
He also noted that Russia's position was "transparent," and widely known, in response to Zelensky's claim that Putin was not ready for peace.
NATO membership for Kiev not realistic: Hegseth
In a related context, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday that the idea of reverting to Ukraine's pre-2014 boundaries is unachievable, and pursuing it would only add more suffering.
Hegseth stated at the 26th Ukraine Defense Contact Group conference in Brussels that although the US wishes for a "sovereign and prosperous Ukraine," it may be unrealistic to achieve pre-2014 borders.
He added that aspiring to reach such a goal would only "prolong the war and cause more suffering."
According to Hegseth, Ukraine's NATO membership is unlikely to result from any future negotiations with Russia.
"The United States does not believe that NATO membership for Ukraine is a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement," he indicated.
Hegseth further stressed that the current US administration will no longer tolerate an unequal relationship with allies based on dependency.
"The United States will no longer tolerate an imbalanced relationship which encourages dependency. Rather, our relationship will prioritize empowering Europe to own responsibility for its own security," he detailed.
Ukraine "may be Russian someday," US President Donald Trump suggested, as Vice President JD Vance prepares to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later this week.
During an interview for Fox News that aired Monday, Trump, who has been advocating for an end to the nearly three-year war with Russia, commented on the conflict, saying, "They may make a deal, they may not make a deal. They may be Russian someday, or they may not be Russian someday."
Trump also emphasized the need for the US to see a return on its financial aid to Ukraine, proposing a trade for Kiev's natural resources, including rare minerals.
"We are going to have all this money in there, and I say I want it back. And I told them that I want the equivalent, like $500 billion worth of rare earth," Trump said. "And they have essentially agreed to do that, so at least we don't feel stupid."
Additionally, Trump confirmed Monday that he will soon dispatch his special envoy, Keith Kellogg, to Ukraine to develop a proposal aimed at ending the conflict.
