Volodymyr Zelenskyy maintains a resolute position concerning Russia as Donald Trump prepares for a meeting with Vladimir Putin to address the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has been vocal about his opposition to ceding territory to Russia as a means to end the conflict.
Donald Trump has consistently advocated for the cessation of hostilities between Ukraine and Russia, but he has expressed frustration over his struggles to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to take decisive steps toward resolving the conflict.
Recently, Trump suggested the potential imposition of new sanctions on Russia and secondary tariffs aimed at nations purchasing Russian oil if the Kremlin does not progress towards a settlement in Ukraine.
Despite these challenges, the Republican president remains hopeful about achieving a breakthrough, as he is slated to meet with Putin on Friday (August 15) to discuss the possibility of ending the war.
There are concerns that failing to reach an agreement could lead to an escalation of the conflict, potentially involving a broader international crisis.
Zelenskyy spoke to the press on August 12, discussing the Kremlin’s desire for Ukrainian forces to retreat from the remaining parts of the eastern Donbas region under its control as part of a ceasefire agreement.
He firmly stated that Ukraine would not abandon its land, emphasizing that conceding this area to Russia would act as a ‘springboard’ for future Russian incursions.
Zelenskyy declared: “We will not leave Donbas. We cannot do this. Everyone forgets the first part – our territories are illegally occupied.”
“Donbas for the Russians is a springboard for a future new offensive.”
Zelenskyy has consistently rejected the notion of relinquishing Ukrainian land to achieve peace, despite Trump’s suggestion that a peace deal might involve ‘some swapping of territories.’
In a post on Telegram dated August 9, Zelenskyy reiterated his stance against ceding any part of Ukraine.
“The answer to Ukraine’s territorial question is already in the constitution of Ukraine. No one will and no one can deviate from it. Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier,” the Ukrainian president affirmed.
“Any solutions that are without Ukraine, are at the same time, solutions against peace. They will not bring anything. These are dead solutions, they will never work.”