In a critical stance ahead of high-stakes talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zelensky warns that ceding territory would enable future Russian attacks.
Zelensky Stands Firm Against Donbas Compromise Amidst Russian Advances
Zelensky Stands Firm Against Donbas Compromise Amidst Russian Advances
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky firmly rejects any territorial concessions in the Donbas region as Russian forces escalate their offensive.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has unequivocally ruled out any Russian proposals to relinquish control over the Donbas region in exchange for a ceasefire. He cautioned that such concessions could serve as a launchpad for future military maneuvers by Russia. His comments came in light of an upcoming meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin scheduled for Friday in Alaska.
Trump has suggested that a potential peace deal may involve “some swapping of territories,” which raises concerns in Ukraine that it could lose not only Donbas but also Crimea to Russian forces. This apprehension follows an ongoing summer offensive by Russian troops, who have reportedly gained ground near the eastern Ukrainian town of Dobropillia, advancing as much as 10 kilometers in a swift military maneuver. Zelensky acknowledged Russian advances in several areas but vowed that Ukrainian forces would soon target and eliminate the units responsible for this incursion.
Details surrounding Putin's specific demands during Friday's meeting remain scarce. The Donbas region has faced partial occupation by Russia since 2014, with Moscow currently exerting control over almost all of Luhansk and approximately 70% of Donetsk. During a press conference on Tuesday, Zelensky asserted that conceding the Donbas would undermine Ukraine's defensive position, stating, “If we withdraw from the Donbas today – our fortifications, our terrain, the heights we control – we will clearly open a bridgehead for the Russians to prepare an offensive.”
In his nightly address, Zelensky indicated that Russian forces are preparing for new attacks across three key frontlines – Zaporizhzhia, Pokrovsk, and Novopavlov. Trump's remarks last week about potential territorial swaps have further alarmed Ukrainian officials and European allies, raising fears of a forced redrawing of Ukraine's borders.
The White House characterized the Alaska talks as primarily a "listening exercise" for Trump, aiming to provide him with better insights into resolving the ongoing conflict. Trump has previously termed the forthcoming summit a “feel-out meeting,” appearing to lower expectations for tangible outcomes despite earlier ambitions for substantial progress.
Excluding Ukraine from this negotiation platform has fostered frustration within Zelensky's team. The Ukrainian leader noted his skepticism about the talks yielding constructive results, highlighting the absurdity of discussing their fate without their involvement. He also remarked that the choice of location signifies a "personal victory" for Putin, allowing Russia's leader to emerge from international seclusion.
On Wednesday, Zelensky is expected to participate in a virtual session alongside Trump, European Union leaders, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and NATO chief Mark Rutte, all aiming to urge the U.S. president to remain steadfast against potential compromises suggested by Putin during their meeting.
