Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky early Saturday as soon as once more dismissed the thought of Ukraine ceding land to Russia in proposed ceasefire talks.
“In fact, we is not going to give Russia any awards for what it has achieved,” Zelensky stated in a video message posted to Telegram. “The Ukrainian folks deserve peace.”
He added that “all companions” should perceive peace and that “Ukrainians is not going to give their land to an occupier.”
The Ukrainian chief’s feedback come simply hours after the White Home’s imposed deadline for a peace settlement between the nations lapsed. Trump on Friday proposed a land swap as a potential concession in his push to finish the greater than three-year-long battle.
“We’re going to get some again, and we’re going to get some switched. There’ll be some swapping of territories to the betterment of each,” Trump advised reporters when requested about negotiations.
The president additionally introduced that he would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Aug. 15, after failing to impose increased sanctions on the Kremlin as proposed final month. Trump had initially given Russia a 50-day timeline however later shortened it as Moscow continued its onslaught in Ukraine.
Zelensky additionally argued that any agreements made between Trump and Putin, that don’t embrace Kyiv, will additional undermine hopes for de-escalation within the area.
“Any choices made towards us, any choices made with out Ukraine, are on the identical time choices towards peace,” he stated Saturday. “They are going to convey nothing. These are lifeless choices; they’ll by no means work.”
The White Home didn’t instantly reply to The Hill’s request for remark.
Earlier this 12 months, Zelensky stated he would consider swapping portions of Ukraine for a small pocket of Russian territory, to incorporate components of Kursk Oblast, captured by Kyiv final 12 months. Nonetheless, the feedback had been made previous to the Kremlin’s land grabs ensuing within the seizure of four Ukrainian border towns in late Could.
Regardless of the clear change in coronary heart, Trump signaled hope on the time that discussions would convey an finish to the battle.
“I believe we’re going to have ceasefire on loads of areas and to date, that’s all held very nicely,” the president advised reporters on the time.
“In getting that ceasefire, they’d loads of weapons pointing at one another. You had some troopers sadly surrounded by different troopers,” he continued. “They’ll be — I consider we’re going to fairly quickly have a full ceasefire, after which we’re going to have a contract, and the contract’s being negotiated, the contract when it comes to dividing up the lands, and many others., and many others. It’s being negotiated as we communicate.”
However the slow negotiation process led to the president becoming more frustrated with each Jap European leaders, particularly after Trump made ending the war quickly a significant a part of his marketing campaign.
On Thursday, the president brushed off reports that he wished Putin and Zelensky to satisfy earlier than he would agree to a summit with the Russian chief.
“No, he want to meet with me, and I’ll do no matter I can to cease the killing,” Trump stated.