Won’t give land: Zelenskyy rejects Trump’s territory-swap peace idea with Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has categorically rejected former U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that a peace deal with Russia could involve Ukraine swapping or conceding territory to Russia, insisting that “Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier”.
Zelenskyy’s response came in video and social media statements following Trump’s remarks about a possible peace agreement, which might include “swapping of territories” to end the conflict. Zelenskyy emphasized that any resolution to Ukraine’s territorial integrity is already defined in the country’s constitution, declaring that “no one will retreat from this, nor will anyone be able to”. He warned that negotiations excluding Kyiv would be “dead decisions” and “will never work,” asserting Ukraine’s participation is mandatory in any talks about its future.
The Trump-Putin meeting is scheduled for August 15 in Alaska, reportedly to discuss such peace terms, but Ukraine and its European allies insist that conceding land would only legitimize Russia’s aggression and encourage further expansion. Despite some increase in support for territorial concessions among the Ukrainian public following recent military setbacks, a majority remains opposed to giving up land “under any circumstances”.
Zelenskyy’s clear stance: Kyiv will not approve any deal requiring the surrender of Ukrainian territory and insists on being directly involved in any diplomatic process to end the war.
