In a controversial statement ahead of planned negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the two leaders would discuss territorial concessions and control of Ukrainian nuclear power plants as part of potential ceasefire talks to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. The remarks, made during a campaign rally in Ohio, have drawn fierce condemnation from Kyiv, Western allies, and foreign policy experts, who warn that such proposals risk legitimizing Russia's invasion and undermining Ukrainian sovereignty.
Trump, who has repeatedly framed himself as the only leader capable of "ending the war in 24 hours," told supporters, "Putin and I will talk about land—some you keep, some you don't—and those big power plants. You need someone tough to make this deal." While he provided no specifics, his allusion to territorial adjustments appeared to reference Russia's illegally annexed regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, while "power plants" likely nod to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, occupied by Russian forces since March 2022.
The Ukrainian government swiftly rejected the premise of any negotiations excluding Kyiv's participation. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's office issued a statement declaring, "Ukraine's territorial integrity is non-negotiable. Any discussion about our land or infrastructure without Ukraine at the table is a fantasy that plays into Putin's hands." NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg echoed the sentiment, calling Trump's comments "deeply irresponsible" and a "dangerous departure from the principles of international law."
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov offered a measured response, stating Russia "welcomes all constructive dialogue," but emphasized that any settlement must recognize "the realities on the ground"—a phrase interpreted as code for territorial gains. Meanwhile, the Biden administration condemned Trump's rhetoric as "reckless opportunism," with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan warning, "Ukraine's future must be determined by Ukrainians, not by backroom deals between authoritarian leaders and those who sympathize with them."
Analysts suggest Trump's framing aligns with his longstanding skepticism of U.S. support for Ukraine and his admiration for Putin's assertiveness. His comments have reignited debates over the potential consequences of a second Trump presidency for global security, particularly regarding Article 5 guarantees to NATO allies. "Discussing the transfer of occupied land and critical infrastructure as bargaining chips isn't diplomacy—it's capitulation," said Fiona Hill, former U.S. National Security Council advisor.
The remarks also risk exacerbating tensions within the Republican Party, with staunch Ukraine aid supporters like Senator Lindsey Graham distancing themselves, while isolationist factions praised Trump's "pragmatism." For Ukrainians, the statement is a chilling reminder of their vulnerability to great-power politics. "Our grandparents fought the Soviets for independence. We won't trade it for a dictator's promises," said Olha Stefanyshyna, a member of Ukraine's parliament.
As ceasefire talks remain speculative, Trump's announcement has already shifted geopolitical fault lines, underscoring the high stakes of the 2024 U.S. election. With Russia intensifying offensives in eastern Ukraine, the prospect of negotiations that sideline Kyiv's interests threatens not only Ukraine's survival but the postwar international order itself.