Wed Feb 12 02:09:35 UTC 2025: **Zelenskyy Signals Willingness to Negotiate Land Swap with Russia; Trump Administration Secures Release of American Prisoner**

**Kyiv/Washington, Feb 12, 2025** – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated a willingness to cede territory in negotiations with Russia, a significant shift in his previously unwavering stance. This announcement followed the release of American prisoner Marc Fogel, secured by the Trump administration in what President Trump described as a goodwill gesture aimed at ending the war.

Zelenskyy, in an interview with *The Guardian*, stated he is prepared for “serious talks” and would consider a land-for-land exchange, potentially involving territory in Russia’s Kursk region that Ukraine seized last year. He acknowledged the limitations of security guarantees without US involvement, emphasizing that “security guarantees without America are not real security guarantees.”

This willingness to negotiate comes as President Trump, who has vowed to end the war, sent envoy Steve Witkoff to Russia. Witkoff, in a first known visit by a Trump administration member to Russia since Trump’s return to office, secured Fogel’s release after he had been jailed since 2021 on drug charges. Trump hailed the release as a potential start to a relationship that could end the war. The White House confirmed the release as part of an exchange, but offered no further details.

Trump’s recent comments, including suggesting Ukraine might one day become part of Russia, have been met with mixed reactions. While the Kremlin welcomed the statement, Ukrainians reacted with scorn. Meanwhile, fighting continues on the ground, with Russia claiming gains in eastern Ukraine and reporting civilian casualties from shelling in the north.

The release of Fogel follows previous prisoner exchanges between the US and Russia, facilitated despite limited official contact since Russia’s 2022 invasion. The Trump administration’s actions suggest a renewed effort to engage with Russia on the conflict, raising questions about the potential impact on ongoing negotiations and the future of the conflict.

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