Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky firmly rejected the idea of ceding territory to Russia, responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion of possible land swaps ahead of a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15, 2025, per Reuters. Speaking on Saturday, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine’s constitution prohibits giving up its land, stating, “Ukrainians will not give their land to occupiers.” He underscored Ukraine’s readiness for solutions that could bring peace but warned that any agreements excluding Kyiv would undermine stability.
The planned Alaska meeting follows a Moscow visit by Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, on Wednesday, aimed at advancing peace talks for the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which began with Russia’s 2022 invasion. Trump has pushed for a swift resolution, having set a Friday deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire or face new sanctions and tariffs on its energy exports, per AP News. Zelensky’s remarks came in response to Trump’s comments that negotiations might involve “getting some back” and “some swapping” of territory, as noted on X by @newsisdead. However, Zelensky stressed that Ukraine’s territorial integrity is non-negotiable, saying, “The answer to the Ukrainian territorial question already is in the Constitution of Ukraine. No one will deviate from this and no one will be able to,” per @ChristopherJM on X.
The summit has raised concerns among Ukraine and its European allies, with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius calling Trump’s apparent concessions to Putin “regrettable” before negotiations begin, per ABC News. Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur echoed this, stating, “We must not hand Russia any advantage before negotiations even begin.” Trump, however, insisted Ukraine would have a seat at the table, saying, “Of course they would,” when asked about Kyiv’s involvement, per ABC News. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed Ukraine’s inclusion in talks but emphasized the U.S. as the primary intermediary, per ABC News.
Key points of the Alaska summit and Zelensky’s stance include:
- No Land Concessions: Zelensky insists Ukraine’s constitution bars territorial surrender.
- Alaska Summit: Trump and Putin to meet August 15 to discuss Ukraine peace deal.
- Kyiv’s Role: Zelensky warns against solutions excluding Ukraine, per Reuters.
The talks follow Trump’s broader diplomatic efforts, including tariff threats against countries like India for buying Russian oil, per Reuters. Zelensky’s firm stance reflects Ukraine’s commitment to sovereignty, despite Trump’s push for a deal that could involve recognizing Russian control over occupied regions like Crimea, per GB News. As the summit approaches, Ukraine and its allies stress the need for Kyiv’s active participation to ensure a fair resolution to the ongoing war.
