Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reiterated his firm stance against making territorial concessions to Russia, insisting that Ukraine will not trade land for a ceasefire.
Speaking at the government headquarters in Kyiv, Zelensky said that withdrawing from strategically important areas currently contested or partially controlled by Russian forces would amount to abandoning Ukrainian citizens. In his view, such a move would weaken the country internally and create divisions within society.
Russia has demanded that Ukraine relinquish control over parts of the Donetsk region, as well as additional areas in the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Zelensky rejected the idea that these concessions would bring lasting peace, arguing that any pause would simply allow Moscow time to rebuild its military strength before resuming aggression.
He stressed that sustained military and economic pressure on Russia remains the only viable path to ending the war on terms acceptable to Ukraine. According to Zelensky, stopping further territorial expansion by Moscow would represent a significant victory not only for Ukraine but also for the broader international order.
While acknowledging that fully restoring Ukraine’s 1991 borders would take time and depend heavily on Western support, he maintained that reclaiming all occupied territories is ultimately a matter of justice. However, he conceded that an immediate large-scale counteroffensive could lead to heavy casualties, given Russia’s sizable forces.
The role of the United States continues to be critical. US President Donald Trump has publicly urged Ukraine to move quickly toward negotiations, and Western diplomats have suggested that territorial compromises may be part of any future settlement. Zelensky responded that any long-term security guarantees from Washington would need congressional backing to ensure continuity beyond a single administration.
On domestic issues, Zelensky addressed calls for elections, which were originally scheduled for 2024 but postponed due to martial law introduced after Russia’s full-scale invasion. He indicated that elections could only be considered once robust security guarantees are in place.
Militarily, Zelensky emphasized the urgent need to strengthen air defense capabilities. He has requested permission to produce American-made systems, including Patriot missiles, under license within Ukraine. So far, those requests have not been approved.
Despite mounting pressure and ongoing uncertainty, Zelensky expressed confidence in Ukraine’s resilience. He described the diplomatic process as complex and multi-layered, but reiterated that Ukraine’s core objective remains unchanged: to defend its sovereignty and prevent further Russian expansion.
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