President Donald Trump has framed his vision for a Ukraine peace deal as being for the “betterment of both” Russia and Ukraine, a controversial choice of words that suggests a moral equivalency between the aggressor and the victim. This framing came as he discussed a potential “swapping of territories” ahead of his Putin summit.
The phrase implies that a compromise, even one that allows Russia to keep illegally occupied land, would be a positive outcome for both nations. This runs counter to the view held by Ukraine and its allies that the only just outcome is a full Russian withdrawal and the restoration of Ukraine’s sovereignty.
By suggesting a deal would benefit Russia, Trump is signaling a willingness to accommodate Moscow’s interests in a final settlement. This is a significant departure from the more punitive approach favored by many in the West, which seeks to ensure Russia does not profit from its invasion.
This framing has raised alarms that Trump may prioritize the expediency of ending the war over the principles of international law and national sovereignty. How this concept of “betterment of both” is defined and negotiated in Alaska will be one of the most closely watched aspects of the summit.