"Though that may not be enough to compel Putin to seek peace, it does suggest that the walls are closing in on him."

Kyiv has repeatedly rejected any so-called "land swap" which would be against the Ukrainian Constitution. Zelensky's comments on Saturday acknowledge Trump's role in any peace deal with the summit but again reject the chances that Ukrainian land can be traded for peace.

President Donald Trump’s deadline for Russia to end its war in Ukraine or suffer severe economic punishment expires Friday, but it’s unclear how he plans to proceed amid new efforts toward a summit with Vladimir Putin and delicate trade negotiations with China.