Zelenskyy Rejects Ceding Land, Demands Ukraine in Talks/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected any peace deal reached between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin that excludes Ukraine. He warned that bypassing Kyiv would produce “dead solutions” and reaffirmed that Ukraine’s territorial integrity is non-negotiable. The warning comes ahead of a planned Trump-Putin summit in Alaska aimed at ending the war.
Ukraine Peace Talks Quick Looks
- Zelenskyy warns any deal without Kyiv is doomed to fail.
- Trump-Putin summit set for Alaska to discuss ending war.
- Territorial integrity of Ukraine declared non-negotiable by Zelenskyy.
- Trump hints at possible “territory swaps” without details.
- Analyst says Alaska meeting symbolically benefits Russia.
- Russian attacks kill four civilians, injure 16 in Ukraine.
- Drone warfare escalates with hundreds intercepted and launched overnight.
Zelenskyy Rejects Ceding Land, Demands Ukraine in Talks
Deep Look
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a firm warning Saturday against any peace deal reached without Ukraine’s direct involvement, ahead of a high-profile meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Alaska summit, scheduled for next Friday, is being billed as a potential turning point in the war, now in its fourth year.
In a post on Telegram, Zelenskyy declared that Ukraine’s constitutionally protected territorial integrity must remain untouched in any settlement. “Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier,” he wrote, adding that “any decisions that are without Ukraine are at the same time decisions against peace.” The president described such deals as “dead solutions” that “will never work.”
The warning reflects fears in Kyiv that the U.S.-Russia dialogue could sideline Ukrainian interests. Trump previously signaled his willingness to meet Putin even if the Russian leader refused direct talks with Zelenskyy, alarming Ukrainian officials and European allies.
The Planned Alaska Summit
Trump confirmed the meeting would focus on ending hostilities in Ukraine. Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov framed the Alaska location as “entirely logical” given its proximity to Russia, highlighting the symbolism of the venue. Analysts noted the choice could serve as a subtle reminder of the 1867 Alaska Purchase, when Russia sold the territory to the U.S., potentially strengthening Moscow’s narrative about territorial bargaining.
Before announcing the date and venue, Trump hinted that any deal could involve “some swapping of territories,” though he provided no details. Kremlin-linked analysts have floated the possibility that Russia might be willing to relinquish certain occupied areas outside the four regions it has claimed to annex since 2022.
Trump also said his meeting with Putin would occur before any face-to-face discussion with Zelenskyy. This decision departs from previous diplomatic norms that sought to keep Ukraine’s leadership directly engaged in talks about their own country’s future.
Nigel Gould-Davies, an associate fellow at Chatham House, told The Associated Press the Alaska location “naturally favors Russia” in both optics and potential talking points. He warned that it could be used to justify Moscow’s push for Ukrainian territorial concessions.
Ultimatums and Sanctions
Just two weeks ago, Trump issued an ultimatum to Putin, threatening additional sanctions and secondary tariffs on nations buying Russian oil unless Moscow moved toward a settlement. The deadline passed Friday without a clear indication from the White House about whether sanctions would be imposed, especially after the Trump-Putin meeting was confirmed.
Gould-Davies compared the current situation to Cold War-era “Kremlinology,” where analysts sought to decipher the motivations of leaders through indirect clues. He suggested Trump’s latest pivot toward a more conciliatory approach to Moscow marks a sharp reversal from his earlier frustration with Putin over continued airstrikes on Ukrainian cities.
The War on the Ground
Despite diplomatic maneuvers, the battlefield situation remains volatile. On Saturday, Russian drone strikes killed two people and wounded 16 when a minibus was hit near Kherson, regional Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported. Another drone attack in the Zaporizhzhia region killed two more civilians, according to Governor Ivan Fedorov.
Ukraine’s air force said it intercepted 16 out of 47 Russian drones launched overnight, with 31 drones hitting targets in 15 locations. Ukrainian defenses also shot down one of two missiles fired by Russian forces.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its own air defenses destroyed 97 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory and the Black Sea overnight, along with 21 more on Saturday morning. Both sides continue to employ drone warfare at an intense pace, underscoring the grinding nature of the conflict.
Kyiv’s Strategic Concerns
Privately, some Ukrainian officials have acknowledged to the Associated Press that they could accept a deal implicitly recognizing Ukraine’s current inability to reclaim all occupied territories by force. However, Zelenskyy’s public position remains unchanged: any lasting peace must be negotiated with Ukraine directly and preserve its sovereignty.
With the Alaska summit approaching, diplomatic observers are watching for signs of whether the U.S. will push for Ukraine’s inclusion in the talks or attempt to broker an initial framework with Russia before involving Kyiv. The answer could shape the next phase of the largest European conflict since World War II.
For now, Zelenskyy’s message is unambiguous — no deal about Ukraine can succeed without Ukraine.
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