Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized on Monday that Ukraine would not entertain any notion of conceding territory to Russia as part of a potential peace agreement to end the ongoing invasion that has persisted for nearly four years. During an online press conference, he firmly stated that both Ukrainian law and the constitution, as well as international law, prohibit any cession of land.
“Do we envision ceding territories? We have no legal right to do so, under Ukrainian law, our constitution and international law. And we don’t have any moral right either,” Zelensky asserted, reinforcing Ukraine’s stance on maintaining sovereignty over its territory.
The President noted that ongoing discussions facilitated by the United States aim to seek a compromise; however, he reiterated Ukraine’s steadfast refusal to surrender any land. “Russia is insisting that we give up territories, but we don’t want to cede anything. We are fighting for that, as you well know,” he stated, highlighting the resilience and determination of Ukraine in the face of Russian demands.
Zelensky acknowledged the complexities involved in the negotiations, particularly regarding territorial disputes, which he described as the “most problematic” aspect of the dialogue. Alongside territorial issues, security guarantees have emerged as a critical sticking point. “The key is to know what our partners will be ready to do in the event of new aggression by Russia. At the moment, we have not received any answer to this question,” he commented, drawing attention to the urgent need for concrete security assurances from Ukraine’s allies.
Following his meetings in London, Zelensky traveled to Brussels to engage with NATO and European Commission leaders. He also mentioned plans to head to Italy later that night, where further discussions would occur. The President indicated that Ukrainian officials, alongside their European counterparts, are working on counter-proposals related to the 20 points received from the U.S., which they aim to finalize and send to Washington by Tuesday evening. This ongoing diplomatic effort underscores Ukraine’s commitment to securing both territorial integrity and robust security frameworks to deter future aggression.
