Zelensky Reiterates Stance on Donetsk and Upcoming Summits

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to reclaim the remaining 30% of the Donetsk region, which Ukraine currently manages as part of a ceasefire arrangement.

Zelensky emphasized multiple times that Ukraine would not yield any territory, calling such actions unconstitutional. He argued that doing so would only create a pathway for future Russian hostilities.

He mentioned that discussions led by the United States regarding the war’s conclusion haven’t adequately addressed security guarantees to deter further Russian incursions into Ukraine.

On the ground, Russian troops are reported to be struggling to maintain control over significant areas near the city of Pokrovsk.

Zelensky noted that ahead of an upcoming summit between President Donald Trump and Putin, American officials had conveyed expectations of territorial concessions from Ukraine. This was reiterated in subsequent security meetings.

It’s uncertain whether Ukraine will participate in Friday’s summit. EU leaders, who have also been sidelined, urged Trump to safeguard their interests on Tuesday.

Zelensky’s Defiant Message

Zelensky claimed that Putin wants to control the remaining 9,000 square kilometers (3,500 square miles) of Donetsk under Ukrainian rule. Surrendering this territory would effectively hand most of the Donbas region—key to Ukraine’s industrial heart—to Russia, something Putin has long desired.

After a bilateral conversation with Putin, Zelensky learned that Russia is prepared to talk about ending the conflict but expects territorial exchanges from both sides. Some European allies participated in this discussion as well.

He remarked, “That’s likely why Putin wants us to leave Donbas, because it didn’t seem like America wanted us to.” Throughout, he maintained that abandoning Ukrainian-held territories is out of the question, especially since discussions around Ukraine’s security assurances remain unfinished.

“We won’t leave Donbas. We can’t do that. People seem to forget that our territory is illegally occupied,” Zelensky told reporters during a briefing. He referenced the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 as a cautionary example.

Summit Dynamics

Meanwhile, Trump has expressed interest in assessing Putin’s commitment to peace as he enters his fourth year in office. The U.S. President has caused disappointment among European allies by suggesting that Ukraine must give up some territory to achieve peace. He also indicated that Russia might need to make some land exchanges, though specifics on what Putin might concede are unclear.

Both Ukraine and European leaders are wary that Putin, engaged in the largest continental conflict in decades, might leverage energy supplies to pressure the EU into favorable terms, potentially crafting a peace agreement without their input.

Zelensky spoke about U.S. suggestions for a dual meeting with Russia, followed by a trilateral one that includes Ukraine, stressing that European involvement is crucial for security assurances and military funding.

European leaders have expressed a collective fear that if Putin prevails in Ukraine, he may set his sights on other nations.

On Tuesday, leaders acknowledged Trump’s efforts to halt Russian aggression but insisted that Ukraine’s future should not be decided without its consent and that international borders shouldn’t be altered through force.

A new effort to rally Trump in support of Ukraine is scheduled for Wednesday, organized by German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz. Trump has not confirmed his attendance but stated, “I’ll gather everyone’s thoughts” before meeting with Putin.

Russia continues to exert unstable control over several Ukrainian regions, raising concerns across Europe.

Mikhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Zelensky, remarked that yielding to Russia could undermine international law, offering dangerous signals globally.

Surprising Moves in Leadership

Trump’s seemingly renewed relations with Putin have raised eyebrows among Ukrainian supporters. Nigel Gould-Davis, a senior fellow in strategy, described the upcoming summit in Alaska as “a very surprising moment for Europe.”

He warned that Putin might attempt to persuade Trump into accepting Russian territorial claims in Ukraine, potentially even beyond the currently held areas. Such an outcome would risk significant discord within the Transatlantic Alliance.

Gould-Davis pointed out that this conflict is not merely about expanding Russian territory, but rather about Putin’s aim for Ukrainian subordination, which poses threats to broader European stability.

It remains unclear whether European leaders will express discomfort over a previous miscommunication regarding their travels to meet Putin in Alaska, historical territory of Russia until the 19th century.

While the recent European Joint Statement aimed to showcase unity, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban—closely aligned with the EU—was among a handful of leaders reluctant to fully support it.

Urgent Situation in Pokrovsk

Russia appears to be advancing towards a critical city in the Donetsk region—Pokrovsk.

Military analysts utilizing available data suggest that the next couple of days could prove decisive. Losing this city would provide Russia with a notable victory before the summit and complicate Ukrainian logistics in the region, where Russian military focus is concentrated.

“The situation’s dynamics depend on the preparedness of Ukraine,” tweeted Pasi Paronen, an analyst from Finland.

The Ukrainian military has confirmed ongoing efforts to fend off Russian infiltration attempts in the Donetsk region. They described the situation as “difficult, uncomfortable, and dynamic.”

Additionally, a Russian missile strike on a military training facility resulted in one Ukrainian soldier’s death and left eleven others injured.