Ukraine’s President Vows No Territorial Concessions — Kyiv Must Lead Any Peace Talks
KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday categorically rejected the prospect of formally ceding Ukrainian territory to secure an end to the war with Russia. Zelenskyy said Kyiv will not reward aggression by handing over land and insisted any peace process must include Ukrainian representation at the negotiating table.
“We will not give Russia any awards for what it has done,” Zelenskyy said. “Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.”
The declaration responds directly to public comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested that a peace settlement might involve “some swapping of territories.” Zelenskyy called such proposals unacceptable and warned that deals struck without Kyiv’s involvement would be “dead decisions” unlikely to produce sustainable peace.
In parallel diplomatic activity, Ukrainian and European officials met with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance in Kent, England, to coordinate responses to the war and plan paths toward a negotiated settlement. Representatives from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Finland and Poland attended — signaling broad European backing for a diplomatic strategy that upholds Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty.
The planned summit between Presidents Trump and Vladimir Putin, set to take place in Alaska later this month, has raised anxiety in Kyiv and among Western capitals. Analysts warn that talks between Washington and Moscow that sideline Kyiv could risk legitimizing territorial changes accomplished by force — a result Kyiv and its allies say cannot be accepted.
Fighting and Civilian Toll Persist
While diplomatic maneuvers proceed, fighting on the ground continues. Recent Russian drone strikes and attacks in regions such as Kherson and Zaporizhzhia have killed and wounded civilians, underscoring the conflict’s continuing humanitarian cost. Ukrainian air defenses reported intercepting dozens of incoming drones, even as Russia claimed its own countermeasures against Ukrainian unmanned systems.
Voices from Ukraine
Public reaction inside Ukraine ranges from firm rejection of territorial concessions to weary consideration of any pathway that might bring an end to bloodshed. Some civilians express resignation and an urgent desire to stop the fighting; others, including families of the fallen, insist that territorial integrity is non-negotiable.
What Comes Next
As the Trump–Putin meeting approaches, Kyiv and its European partners are calling for diplomacy that combines sustained political pressure on Moscow with robust support for Ukraine. Western leaders issued a joint statement reaffirming that any successful approach must pair active diplomacy with continued support for Ukraine and pressure on the Russian Federation to end its military campaign.
President Zelenskyy’s message is clear: Kyiv must be central to any talks about its future. Any process that excludes Ukrainian representatives is unlikely to produce a lasting or legitimate settlement.