Zelenskyy stated that Russia has not succeeded in taking control of the Donetsk region in Eastern Ukraine, a goal Moscow has pursued since 2014. Russian President Vladimir Putin “has been unable to take it for 12 years, and the Ukrainian constitution prevents any territory or land from being ceded,” according to Zelenskyy.
The New York Times reported that Trump suggested to European leaders that peace might be achievable if Ukraine agreed to cede territory in the east. Parts of Donetsk, including Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, remain resistant to Russia’s invasion. The American president met with Putin in Alaska on Friday, claiming some agreements were reached.
Zelenskyy expressed willingness to negotiate directly with Putin in a meeting mediated by Trump.
“The territorial issue is paramount and should be discussed by the leaders of Ukraine and Russia with the U.S. involved,” Zelenskyy stated. “Russia shows no sign of agreeing to this trilateral, and without it, new sanctions should be imposed,” he added.
POLITICO reported that Kyiv’s consideration of territorial exchanges depends on Russia agreeing to a ceasefire, which Moscow has not scheduled.
Top European leaders including the European Commission president, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, will join Zelenskyy at the White House on Monday for further discussions.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy criticized speculation about the EU’s progression with Moldova’s application while Hungary blocks Ukraine’s accession. Both nations have been proceeding together in this process, but sources informed POLITICO that Brussels might advance Moldova over Kyiv.
“There should be no separation between Ukraine and Moldova. That would be a poor decision,” Zelenskyy stated. “Such a separation would signal Europe’s division regarding Ukraine.”
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