War in Ukraine, Moscow rejects Zelensky's compromise: "No exchange of territories". The Kremlin rejects the Ukrainian president's exchange proposal

The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky surprised the international community with a proposal which could unlock negotiations to end the war: an exchange of territories with Russia. As reported, Kiev is reportedly ready to give up portions of territory it controls in Russia's Kursk region in exchange for the start of a peace dialogue.

However, Moscow's response was firm and negative. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, called the proposal a “distraction” to mask Ukrainian military difficulties in the region. The same Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov he expressed his opinion on the matter, reiterating "Russia will never accept an exchange involving its territory“, promising that Ukrainian forces present in the Kursk region will be “hunted or destroyed".

Trump: Marc Fogel's release is first step toward peace

In parallel, Donald Trump declared that the release of American teacher Marc Fogel, detained in Russia since 2021, It could represent the beginning of a new relationship with Moscow. "I hope this is the first step to end this horrible war.“, Trump said, noting that Fogel will be welcomed to the White House.

Fogel's release is part of a prisoner swap between the United States and Russia, which saw the release of Russian cybercriminal Alexander Vinnik, arrested in 2017 on charges of money laundering through a cryptocurrency platform.

North Korea's Role and Military Support to Moscow

In the meantime, North Korea has stepped up its support for Russia, sending about 200 pieces of long-range artillery and preparing, according to Western sources, a further shipment of weapons and troops. This development deeply worries Kiev's Western allies., who see the cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang as an increasingly concrete threat.

US Secretary of Defense: “Ukraine's accession to NATO is an unrealistic goal”

During his recent interventions Trump has never hidden his desire to meet Vladimir Putin to discuss a possible ceasefire. However, according to US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, a possible peace agreement will not include the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO or returning to the 2014 borders. "It's an unrealistic goal“Hegseth emphasized, “continuing to pursue him would prolong the war needlessly".

Zelensky and the message to Europe: “Putin can come to you too”

Zelensky has issued a warning to European leaders, recalling that Vladimir Putin's ambitions do not stop at Ukraine. “If we don't defend Ukraine, Europe will be the next target“, the Ukrainian president said, emphasizing the growth of the Russian army and the danger of an invasion through Belarus.

Ukraine, Zelensky explained, has 110 brigades, compared to Russia's 220.Europe has only 80 brigades. Do you understand what is happening? Without Ukraine, Europe will be occupied“, He concluded.

While the war in Ukraine continues to be the protagonist of the international geopolitical context, the diplomatic efforts seem to be making small steps. However, to have guarantees of success for the future, more time seems to be needed., given the need to overcome political obstacles that at the moment still appear difficult to resolve.