Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected President Donald Trump's suggestion of territorial concessions with Russia to end the war in Ukraine. Image: Johanna Geron/Pool/EPA via Al Jazeera.
(The Post News)– Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has vowed that Ukrainians “will not give their land to occupiers,” following United States President Donald Trump’s suggestion of territorial “swapping” to end the war with Russia.
In a Telegram statement on Saturday, Zelenskyy declared that the Ukrainian constitution already provides an answer to the country’s territorial question. “No one will deviate from this; no one will be able to,” said Zelenskyy, further declaring that Ukrainians refuse to grant their land to the invader.
Zelenskyy’s remarks came hours after Trump disclosed that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin would meet on August 15 in Alaska to discuss the war between Russia and Ukraine. Speaking to reporters, Trump hinted that a peace agreement with Russia would require Ukraine to give up territory.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine is prepared for meaningful peace-making decisions. He asserted that any decisions made without or against Ukraine are decisions made against peace—nothing will be accomplished by decisions, which he labelled as “stillborn” and “unworkable.” Additionally, Zelenskyy emphasized that both countries desire “real and genuine peace”—peace that people will value.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, sparking the beginning of the conflict, which is now in its fourth year. Tens of thousands of people have died, and millions have been displaced as a result of the continued violence.
The Trump administration has mediated multiple rounds of direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv with no major progress made toward a long-term ceasefire agreement. With Kyiv vowing to reclaim all invaded territory and Russia’s persistent military attacks on Ukraine, both nations are still firmly established.
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