Zelensky: Giving Up Land Might Be 'Impossible' as Trump Attacks 'Fake News' on Putin Meeting

Ukraine's Stance on Territorial Integrity and Peace Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made it clear that giving up any land for peace in a future agreement with Russia is "impossible." Speaking in Brussels, he emphasized that the Ukrainian constitution prohibits the country from ceding territory or trading land. He stressed that the territorial issue should only be discussed by the leaders of Ukraine and Russia during a trilateral meeting.

Zelensky also mentioned that real negotiations could begin where the front lines currently are, a position supported by European leaders. This statement comes as U.S. President Donald Trump appears poised to encourage the Ukrainian leader to accept a Russian land grab of his country's territory. According to reports, Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded full control over Donetsk and Luhansk—two occupied Ukrainian regions—as a condition for ending the war.

Zelensky was speaking ahead of a virtual meeting with European leaders and before traveling to Washington to meet with Trump following the U.S. president’s summit with Putin in Alaska. He reiterated the need for a ceasefire to facilitate further negotiations. The Ukrainian leader expressed confidence in the support of Washington and mentioned that several European allies, including Keir Starmer, would accompany him during the talks with Trump.

Zelensky noted that Ukraine does not yet know all the demands made by Putin during the meeting in Alaska and emphasized that it would take time to review them. He added that this process cannot be rushed under the pressure of ongoing military actions.

The world is still reacting to Trump's meeting with Putin in Alaska, where the former U.S. president reportedly gave the Russian leader a warm welcome. Many international observers believe the negotiations were favorable for Putin, noting that he appeared energetic and satisfied with the outcome. In contrast, Trump seemed unusually deflated, appearing disappointed that he couldn't secure an agreement.

Trump responded to criticism by posting on his social media platform, Truth Social, claiming that the media is biased against him. He criticized the "Fake News" and claimed that no matter what he does, the media will distort the truth. He also mentioned that if he had secured Moscow as part of a deal, the media would have labeled it a mistake.

Meanwhile, Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff discussed the issue of territory in an interview with CNN. He highlighted the five regions that have been at the center of the negotiations, including Crimea, which was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014. Witkoff stated that Russia made some concessions regarding these regions, with Donetsk being a significant point of discussion.

The Donbas region, predominantly Russian-speaking, has been a focal point of conflict since Russia seized Crimea in 2014. Pro-Russian forces have maintained a presence there in a long-running war. Zelensky has rejected Putin's demands for Kyiv to withdraw from the remaining 30% of Donetsk that it controls, downplaying Russian advances and stating that his forces are countering and increasing pressure on the occupier.

As negotiations continue, several European leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer, Ursula von der Leyen, Friedrich Merz, and Emmanuel Macron, are set to travel to Washington for peace talks at the White House. Von der Leyen confirmed her participation at the request of Zelensky, emphasizing the importance of continued support for Ukraine.

Other European leaders, such as Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, have also confirmed their attendance. Zelensky's meeting with Trump follows a 'coalition of the willing' video call hosted by Sir Keir, Macron, and Merz earlier in the day.

Trump is said to be inclined to support the plan and will discuss it with Zelensky during their meeting in the Oval Office. However, European leaders may be concerned about a repeat of Zelensky's last visit to the White House, which led to a temporary cutoff of American aid for the war effort.

Downing Street has stated that Sir Keir and other allies are ready to support the next phase of talks to end the war. A statement from No. 10 said that the Prime Minister, along with other European partners, stands ready to support further discussions and reaffirm backing for Ukraine.

Earlier, Sir Keir commended Trump for bringing the conflict closer to an end. Trump's position on ending the war in Ukraine appears to have shifted after his meeting with Putin in Alaska, where he suggested moving directly to a full peace deal rather than negotiating a ceasefire first. This shift mirrors Russia's refusal to agree to a ceasefire before engaging in peace talks.

Zelensky also rejected the idea of Russia offering security guarantees for Ukraine, despite U.S. and EU officials promoting the possibility. White House envoy Steve Witkoff claimed that Trump and Putin agreed to "robust security guarantees" for Ukraine during their meeting in Alaska. EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the proposal, calling it an offer of NATO-style security guarantees.

While Zelensky welcomed the idea of U.S. security guarantees, he remained skeptical about Russia's intentions. He emphasized that security means having a strong army, which Ukraine must provide. Von der Leyen and Zelensky also discussed the possibility of a trilateral meeting between Trump, Putin, and Zelensky, with Zelensky stating that if Russia refuses, new sanctions must follow.