The Trump administration has suggested that Ukraine will need to make “territorial concessions” to end the ongoing conflict with Russia, a point President Donald Trump is expected to address in a phone call with Vladimir Putin scheduled for Tuesday. Trump, who is pushing for a 30-day ceasefire proposal, indicated that discussions would involve “land” and “power plants,” which likely refers to the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported Trump’s view, stating that Ukraine would have to relinquish territories captured by Russia since 2014 to achieve peace. These territories include the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson regions, which Russia has repeatedly demanded Ukraine surrender, even in areas not yet occupied by Russian forces.
As of now, Russia occupies about 20% of Ukraine, gaining more than 1,600 square miles (4,168 square kilometers) of land last year. The Russian military has recently made gains in southern Ukraine, with forces advancing near Zaporizhzhia.
Experts have pointed out that the current frontlines leave Ukraine vulnerable to further Russian aggression, particularly as Russian forces approach key cities like Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. The possibility of using a ceasefire to regroup and rearm, both for Ukraine and Russia, is also a significant concern. The nature of the ceasefire—whether temporary or a binding agreement—will play a crucial role in how the war progresses.
As for Ukraine’s borders, the Kremlin’s goal of fully occupying the disputed regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson would likely force Ukraine to cede territory it currently controls, particularly in the western areas along the Dnipro River. While this scenario remains contentious, the possibility of a ceasefire leading to a permanent change in borders is still uncertain, and further fighting could resume if a lasting agreement is not reached.
Experts caution that Russia may seek to gain more land even after a ceasefire, viewing any promises made to Ukraine as invalid. This leaves the path forward unclear, with the prospect of continued conflict still looming.
