Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered to give up the Kursk region if US President Donald Trump successfully brokers a peace deal with Russia. In an interview, Zelenskyy explained, “We will swap one territory for another,” although he has yet to decide which Russian-held Ukrainian land he will request in return.
Kursk Becomes a Key Focus
Kursk has become a significant point of interest in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. In August 2024, Ukraine launched a surprise military operation in the region. This marked the first time since World War II that Russian territory was occupied by a foreign military force.
Zelenskyy’s Plans for Munich Conference
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy is scheduled to attend the Munich Security Conference. There, he will meet US Vice President JD Vance and other White House officials. He aims to encourage Trump’s team to bring both sides of the conflict to the negotiating table, pushing for a resolution.
Zelenskyy on European and US Support
Regarding international support, Zelenskyy emphasized that Europe’s assistance is insufficient without the backing of the US. He stated, “There are voices which say that Europe could offer security guarantees without the Americans, and I always say no. Security guarantees without America are not real security guarantees.”
Furthermore, he explained that if the US remains committed to supporting Ukraine, American companies could take part in rebuilding Ukraine post-conflict. He noted, “Those who are helping us to save Ukraine will [have the chance to] renovate it, with their businesses together with Ukrainian businesses.”
Trump Proposes Ukraine’s Mineral Resources
In a related development, Trump has suggested that Ukraine should offer the US $500 billion worth of its mineral resources in exchange for continued aid. He believes that this would help compensate for the vast sums Washington has spent supporting Ukraine during the war.
Zelenskyy revealed that he first discussed this idea with Trump during their meeting in New York last September. He plans to follow up with a more detailed proposal that outlines opportunities for US companies in both Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction and the extraction of its valuable natural resources.
