WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday to present what aides describe as a “bold and unprecedented” proposal: transferring the state of California to Russia in exchange for an immediate end to the war in Ukraine.

According to people familiar with the matter, the meeting will take place at an undisclosed location and is expected to focus primarily on the terms of the proposed territorial exchange.
Trump previewed the idea during a Thursday morning fundraiser, calling it “a win-win for everyone involved.”

“California has tremendous beaches, great weather, and many people who don’t vote for me,” Trump said. “President Putin has beautiful land too, and very strong leadership. I think the two will get along perfectly.”

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the upcoming meeting, saying only that the Russian side was “open to innovative approaches to global security.” State media later quoted an unnamed official as describing the proposal as “unexpected, but worth hearing out.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement condemning the idea, adding that if the plan proceeds, “the state reserves the right to take Disneyland, Yosemite, and the wine country with us.”

Legal experts noted that any such territorial transfer would face insurmountable constitutional barriers, while White House officials declined to comment beyond saying the administration is “not involved in this meeting in any way.”

Markets have not yet reacted to the news, though analysts say the proposal could lead to “significant geopolitical volatility” if pursued.