Zelensky Rejects Ceding Territory to Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed he will not give up any land Russia seized during its three-year invasion, as President Trump plans to meet with Vladimir Putin in an attempt to end the war.

“The Ukrainian people deserve peace. But all partners must understand what a dignified peace is,” Zelensky told his compatriots in a video speech posted to X. “This war must be brought to an end—and Russia must end it. Russia started it and is dragging it out, ignoring all deadlines, and that is the problem, not something else.

“We are ready to work together with President Trump, together with all our partners, for real and, most importantly, lasting peace. A peace that will not collapse because of Moscow’s desires,” he said.

Zelensky’s Saturday morning speech comes hours after Trump announced his plans to meet Putin in Alaska on Aug. 15.

“Very far away from this war, which is raging on our land, against our people, and which anyway can’t be ended without us, without Ukraine,” Zelensky said.

Zelensky warned he will not allow Russia to be rewarded with Ukrainian land if a peace deal is reached with the US.

“Any decisions that are against us, any decisions that are without Ukraine, are at the same time decisions against peace. They will not achieve anything. These are stillborn decisions. They are unworkable decisions. And we all need real and genuine peace,” Zelensky’s X post was captioned.

Ukraine is ready for real decisions that can bring peace. Any decisions that are against us, any decisions that are without Ukraine, are at the same time decisions against peace. They will not achieve anything. These are stillborn decisions. They are unworkable decisions. And we… pic.twitter.com/JFg0rIeLzP

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 9, 2025

The 47-year-old leader blasted his Russian adversary for not considering the Ukrainian citizens when he launched the attacks on the European nation.

“Putin did not believe in our people and therefore made the hopeless decision to try and take Ukraine. This was his main mistake, not taking Ukrainians into account,” Zelensky said.

“I believe in our people. Ukrainians are strong. Ukrainians defend what’s theirs. Many in the world have sided with Ukraine during the war. Even those who are with Russia know that Russia is doing evil,” he added.

The highly anticipated meeting between Trump and Putin is the latest attempt by the 79-year-old commander in chief to quash the deadly conflict that began when Russia launched its invasion of its western neighbor on Feb. 24, 2022.

Trump announced the summit to reporters in the White House on Friday, but an exact location was not revealed.

The two-time president said he wanted to meet with Putin as soon as possible but safety concerns delayed the announcement.

“It would have been sooner, but I guess there’s security arrangements that unfortunately people have to make. Otherwise I’d do it much quicker. He would, too. He’d like to meet as soon as possible. I agree with it,” he said.

Trump later confirmed the mid-August Alaska meeting on Truth Social.

“The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska,” the president wrote.

“Further details to follow. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” he added.