Reacting to the planned meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Zelensky has strongly opposed any territorial concessions, stating that Ukraine will not give up an inch of its land. This stance is a response to reports hinting at potential territorial swaps between Ukraine and Russia during the meeting.
Zelensky questioned the legitimacy of any agreement reached without Ukraine’s direct involvement. He believes that such an agreement would be detrimental to peace efforts and would be doomed to failure. He stressed that any decision made that works against Ukraine will work against peace, and will not solve the issues. He reiterated the need for genuine peace, which must be respected by all nations involved.
Zelensky also mentioned that the meeting is happening in Alaska, far from Ukraine and the ongoing war, and cannot be resolved without Ukraine’s involvement. He accused Putin of not trusting Ukrainians, leading to his decision to invade. He highlighted the strength of Ukrainians who know how to defend their land.
Zelensky also mentioned that, during the war, even those who were initially aligned with Russia, came to stand with Ukraine, knowing the wrongs Putin was committing. He argued that Moscow should not be rewarded for its aggression and brutality. Everyone must understand the meaning of honorable peace. Russia must end the war, as it started it, and dragging it out only exacerbates the problem. He also emphasized that Ukraine operates within its constitution.
