Zelenskyy Rejects Territorial Cessions Amid Pivotal Washington Diplomacy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has unequivocally stated that Ukraine will not surrender any territory Russia has failed to conquer, underscoring Moscow’s inability to seize the Donetsk region despite its persistent efforts since 2014. Zelenskyy’s firm stance comes as a crucial diplomatic push commences in Washington, D.C., where he is scheduled to meet with key European leaders at the White House today.

The Ukrainian leader’s remarks directly challenge recent reports, including a New York Times dispatch from Sunday, which indicated that U.S. President Donald Trump had suggested peace could be achieved if Ukraine agreed to cede eastern territories. Trump reportedly found agreement on “many points” during his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

Despite the ongoing conflict, with strategic cities like Sloviansk and Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region still resisting full Russian occupation, Zelenskyy expressed his readiness to engage in direct negotiations with Putin. He emphasized that any discussion concerning territorial issues must occur at a trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia, with Trump as the broker. Zelenskyy cautioned that new sanctions should follow if Russia continues to refuse such a trilateral dialogue.

POLITICO reported last week that Kyiv’s openness to discussing territorial exchanges is contingent upon Russia first agreeing to — and adhering to — a ceasefire, a condition Moscow has consistently declined to set a date for.

Concurrently, Zelenskyy sharply criticized growing speculation that the European Union might advance Moldova’s application to join the bloc ahead of Ukraine’s, especially while Hungary continues to impede Kyiv’s accession. While the two neighboring countries have historically progressed together, diplomats indicated last week that Brussels might allow Moldova to proceed independently. “There can be no division between Ukraine and Moldova. That would simply be a very bad move to my mind,” Zelenskyy stated. “If such a division takes place, it will automatically mean that Europe is divided on Ukraine.”

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