Zelenskyy Refuses Territorial Concessions to Russia, Warns of Ongoing Military Threats

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly rejected a Russian proposal that would involve ceding more territory in exchange for a ceasefire, asserting that such an agreement would only serve as a precursor to further aggression from Moscow. Speaking ahead of a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zelenskyy expressed confidence that Trump does not support Russia's demands, and he hopes the U.S. leader will act as a fair mediator. Zelenskyy emphasized the lack of indications that Russia is genuinely preparing for a ceasefire, citing reports of Russian sabotage groups breaching Ukrainian defenses in the eastern Donbas region—advancing approximately six miles over the past three days. He warned that Russia appears to be orchestrating new offensives at three points along the frontline. In a pre-summit press conference, Zelenskyy articulated his belief that Putin seeks to dominate Ukraine and undermine its sovereignty. He remarked on the peril of the U.S. potentially pressuring Ukraine to yield control of significant territories in Donbas—an area encompassing about 90,000 square kilometers—during discussions at the Alaska summit. Russia recently signaled its willingness to consider a ceasefire for the first time, contingent upon Ukraine's withdrawal from areas it still controls in Donbas. However, Zelenskyy rebuffed the notion of territorial swaps suggested by Trump, asserting, "We will not leave Donbas. We cannot do it.' He labeled the region as critical for Ukraine's defense against future Russian offensives. Zelenskyy's concerns extend beyond territorial integrity; he underscored the necessity for a ceasefire along current frontlines, the return of prisoners of war, and the recovery of missing children before terraforming discussions can begin. He stated, "Any question of territory cannot be separated from security guarantees." Although Zelenskyy will not participate in the critical Trump-Putin meeting, he expressed optimism that it may lead to a trilateral discussion involving himself, even though Putin has not shown willingness to meet him. He characterized Trump as a potentially honest broker who should adopt a middle ground stance rather than align with either side. Turning to the current military situation, Zelenskyy remarked on the Russian narrative suggesting that they are winning the prolonged conflict. Despite Russian advances, he claimed that the attackers are under-equipped, with many suffering casualties—including one thousand a day. He reported Ukraine's own losses minimize comparatively, with 340 casualties reported on the same day—mostly wounded, with fewer killed or missing. Zelenskyy attributed the breaches of the Ukrainian defense lines to a shift in strategy by military command, which had prioritized deploying newly mobilized soldiers into offensive units over reinforcing existing defensive lines. To stabilize the front, he called for an urgent decision to strengthen defensive brigades and adopt a strategy focused on resisting Russian assaults. The situation in Dobropillya, identified as a vital supply point for surrounding Ukrainian-held towns, has seen increased military engagement; experts warn that Russian forces are attempting to convert small tactical gains into more significant advances. With reports of Russia assembling approximately 110,000 troops in the immediate region, Zelenskyy fears the potential for renewed offenses as autumn approaches, drawing thousands of troops from Sumy towards other critical areas on the frontline. As tensions continue to rise amidst the backdrop of upcoming high-level negotiations, Zelenskyy's strong stance underscores the complexities of the ongoing conflict and the critical nature of international diplomatic engagement. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2 • Source 3 • Source 4