The EU has begun to consider exchanging land in peace negotiations for security guarantees.

There is a growing belief in Brussels that the war with Russia can end only through talks between Kyiv and Moscow that will involve territorial concessions. With the changing battlefield situation and the election victory for Donald Trump, who has promised to end the war quickly, support for this idea among European allies is growing stronger. In the political circles of the EU and NATO, a belief is spreading that peace is possible only under conditions in which Ukraine agrees to surrender a portion of its territory in exchange for security guarantees. Notably, ​​the “land for a peace deal” narrative is no longer taboo. At the same time, it is emphasized that this should not look like a reward for the aggressor but should relate to ensuring Ukraine’s security. Russian troops control approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, and the possibility of freezing the current fronts or defining a demarcation line is being considered. “Negotiations may occur earlier than expected, and they will involve certain concessions from both sides,” noted former NATO Deputy Secretary General Camille Gran.