In a strong declaration, President Volodyr Zelensky firmly ruled out any plans to cede the contested Donbas region as Russian military forces make significant advances, highlighting Ukraine's commitment to its territorial integrity.
Zelensky Stands Firm: No Cession of Donbas Despite Russian Advances
Zelensky Stands Firm: No Cession of Donbas Despite Russian Advances
Ukrainian President Zelensky asserts military resolve, rejecting Russian territorial proposals amid ongoing conflict.
Zelensky's statements come just before a highly anticipated meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The Ukrainian leader warned that conceding the Donbas, consisting of the eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk, would merely pave the way for further Russian aggression. "If we withdraw from the Donbas today - our fortifications, our terrain, the heights we control - we will clearly open a bridgehead for the Russians to prepare an offensive," he stated firmly.
As Russian forces continue their summer campaign, reports indicate they have gained approximately 10 kilometers near Dobropillia, further escalating tensions. Currently, Moscow controls nearly all of Luhansk and about 70% of Donetsk, as the conflict persists since 2014. Meanwhile, rumors circulate that Trump may discuss a potential "swapping of territories" with the Russian president, which has raised alarms in Kyiv and throughout Europe.
In addition to the battlefield developments, Zelensky expressed skepticism about the upcoming talks, emphasizing Ukraine's exclusion from the negotiations as problematic. "I don't know what they will talk about without us," he remarked while commenting on the choice of Alaska as the summit location, deeming it a "personal victory" for Putin. Zelensky continues to build diplomatic alliances, joining a virtual meeting with Trump, EU leaders, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and NATO’s chief Mark Rutte to ensure that Trump remains unwavering against Russian pressures at the summit.
Despite hopes for peace, Zelensky's ongoing dialogue underscores the significant hurdles to achieving any resolution, with Russian troops currently holding just under 20% of Ukrainian territory.
As Russian forces continue their summer campaign, reports indicate they have gained approximately 10 kilometers near Dobropillia, further escalating tensions. Currently, Moscow controls nearly all of Luhansk and about 70% of Donetsk, as the conflict persists since 2014. Meanwhile, rumors circulate that Trump may discuss a potential "swapping of territories" with the Russian president, which has raised alarms in Kyiv and throughout Europe.
In addition to the battlefield developments, Zelensky expressed skepticism about the upcoming talks, emphasizing Ukraine's exclusion from the negotiations as problematic. "I don't know what they will talk about without us," he remarked while commenting on the choice of Alaska as the summit location, deeming it a "personal victory" for Putin. Zelensky continues to build diplomatic alliances, joining a virtual meeting with Trump, EU leaders, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and NATO’s chief Mark Rutte to ensure that Trump remains unwavering against Russian pressures at the summit.
Despite hopes for peace, Zelensky's ongoing dialogue underscores the significant hurdles to achieving any resolution, with Russian troops currently holding just under 20% of Ukrainian territory.
