Zelensky Urges Immediate Ceasefire, Rejects Territorial Concessions to Russia

Ukrainian President Zelensky reiterated the urgent need for a ceasefire on Sunday, emphasizing that it would be “impossible” for Ukraine to relinquish any territory to Russia.

Speaking from the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, ahead of an anticipated meeting with President Trump in the United States, Zelensky appeared to firmly uphold his stance regarding the war with Russia. He seems to recognize Moscow’s territorial interests in discussions about peace, at least on the surface.

“Putin has numerous demands, though we’re not totally aware of all of them. If what we’ve heard is just the tip of the iceberg, it’ll take quite a while to review them all, so negotiating under the pressure of weapons is out of the question,” he commented.

This viewpoint contrasts sharply with President Trump’s stance following his discussions with Vladimir Putin in Alaska last Friday. Trump mentioned that initiating direct peace talks might be a more effective route to resolving the conflict, rather than merely seeking a temporary pause.

Zelensky responded to reports indicating that Putin wanted Ukraine to cede the entire Donbas region, where around 75% is already under Russian control. He noted, “President Putin has pointed out that he’s been unable to fully take over the region for over 12 years, indicating that Ukraine is not planning to withdraw from Donetsk.”

“The Ukrainian Constitution prohibits abandoning any territory,” Zelensky added, clearly setting a legal and moral barrier to such concessions.

Despite this firm declaration, there seemed to be some room for negotiation. Ukrainian leaders suggested that any discussions on territorial issues should be exclusively between Ukrainian and Russian leaders. “So far, Russia hasn’t shown any eagerness for a trilateral meeting. If they resist, new sanctions should follow,” he stated.

European allies are considering organizing a trilateral meeting involving German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz, suggesting that a summit with Trump, Zelensky, and Putin could take place in Europe, even amid an ICC arrest warrant for Russian leaders.

Prime Minister Merz is among various European leaders planning to accompany Zelensky on his trip to Washington to meet Trump.

Other notable figures joining the delegation include the British Prime Minister, Macron, Italian Prime Minister Meloni, Finnish President Stubb, NATO Secretary-General Mark Lette, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

During a joint appearance with Zelensky in Brussels, von der Leyen reiterated the European perspective that “borders cannot be altered by force.” Yet, she left the possibility open for discussions around territorial matters. “These decisions are solely for Ukraine to make, and they won’t be discussed without Ukraine present,” she added.

The EU President lauded the security assurances President Trump provided, acknowledging that a coalition of dedicated European allies is prepared to bolster Ukraine’s defenses. “Ukraine must evolve into an unyielding fortress against potential invaders,” she expressed.

In a separate note, Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff mentioned that Moscow has shown willingness to make “some concessions” regarding occupied Ukrainian territory, though he did not elaborate on specifics regarding Putin’s stance.