Trump Says Ukraine's Borders Could Change After a Peace Deal

US President Donald Trump has suggested that Ukraine's borders could change once the war ends and a peace agreement is signed. In an interview with the CBS television network, he said he was confident a deal would be reached soon. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded that Ukraine has already become a different country in geographical terms. Ukrainian outlet Unian.net reports the exchange comes ahead of a new round of talks between Ukraine, Russia and the United States.

Trump's remarks

Trump spoke about Ukraine's future when asked whether he expects the war to end with Ukraine remaining a free and independent state. “I think we'll reach a deal, and I think it will happen. In the end, Ukraine will get somewhat different contours,” the president said. He did not explain which territorial changes he meant.

As the main obstacle to peace, Trump named “the hatred between Zelensky and Putin.” He repeated that the war would not have started had he been president. Trump avoided saying which of the two leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky or Russian President Vladimir Putin, he trusts more, saying he has good relations with both. He rejected the suggestion that Putin is misleading him and deliberately dragging out negotiations.

Trump also defended his decision that has allowed Russia to keep supplying oil products to the global market. He said sanctions have not been lifted, and that deliveries have only been permitted to countries that need fuel.

The Kremlin's reaction

Peskov said: “Geographically, Ukraine is already a different country. The reality on the ground is obvious.” He also said representatives of Russia, Ukraine and the US will take part directly in the talks in Abu Dhabi, while European countries will not be at the table. At the same time, he acknowledged that the US and Ukraine have separate channels of communication with European states.

What to expect from the talks

The new round of talks is scheduled for Abu Dhabi on 10 and 11 November. One of the main topics will be security guarantees for Ukraine after the war. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the question of Ukraine's and Europe's wider security architecture is among the key points, and that some progress has recently been made on it.

Moscow has not publicly confirmed any readiness to give up its territorial demands. Kyiv insists that territorial integrity and security guarantees are essential preconditions for lasting peace.