Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has firmly ruled out any possibility of ceding Ukrainian land, dismissing suggestions from Washington that a potential peace deal with Russia could involve territorial swaps. His remarks come as the United States and Russia prepare for high-stakes talks aimed at ending the war.
The diplomatic push gained momentum after U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15. According to Trump, negotiations — which also involve Zelenskiy — are “close to a deal” that could resolve the three-and-a-half-year conflict. While details remain undisclosed, Trump hinted the agreement might include “some swapping of territories to the betterment of both” nations.
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Such a move would likely require Ukraine to surrender parts of its territory — a prospect Kyiv and its European allies say would embolden Moscow and set a dangerous precedent for international borders.
In a passionate video address, Zelenskiy rejected the idea outright. “Ukrainians will not gift their land to the occupier,” he declared, stressing that Ukraine’s territorial boundaries are enshrined in the constitution. “No one will deviate from this — and no one will be able to,” he added.
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The firm stance underscores the deep divisions over how to end the war, with Ukraine determined to defend its sovereignty while major powers explore compromises to bring the conflict to a close. As the Alaska summit approaches, the question remains whether any proposed deal can satisfy both sides without undermining Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
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