Edith Hejberg
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged European leaders to reject any settlement from Donald Trump that would see Ukraine give up additional land.
His message came ahead of Trump’s planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, sparking fears of a deal made without Kyiv’s input.
Conditional Concessions on Occupied Land
While opposing further territorial losses, Zelensky signalled Ukraine could accept freezing the frontline where it stands.
This would leave Russia in de facto control of parts of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea, all areas seized since 2014 and during the current war.
European-Backed Plan Emerges
Reports suggest European officials are discussing a peace proposal that stops the fighting without requiring Russia to return its occupied territories.
A Western official described the concept as linked only to the “current positions held by the militaries,” underscoring its limited scope.
Trump-Putin Talks in Alaska Loom
Donald Trump is set to meet Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.
Ukrainian and European leaders fear the two could negotiate an end to the war without Ukraine at the table, potentially locking in Russian territorial gains.
Putin’s Nuclear Rhetoric Escalates
The talks come after another night of heavy Russian bombardment and nuclear threats from Putin.
The Kremlin has maintained its hardline stance, with no sign of compromise on its strategic goals for Ukraine.
Moscow’s Endgame Unchanged
According to European diplomats, Russia still seeks the “full capitulation” of Kyiv.
This includes blocking Ukraine’s NATO membership bid, dismantling its Western-aligned government, and forcing disarmament, ambitions unchanged despite battlefield setbacks.
Peace Plan Concerns in Kyiv
A Moscow-backed proposal would see Ukraine withdraw from the parts of Donetsk and Luhansk it still controls, freezing frontlines in the southeast.
Kyiv fears this would legitimise Russia’s gains while offering no guarantee of future security.
Western Allies Coordinate Response
US officials have reportedly promised to consult European partners before the Alaska talks. Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk summed up the mood in Europe as a mix of “many fears and a lot of hope” over the potential outcome.
Ukraine’s Red Lines for Peace
Though Kyiv may accept a ceasefire that leaves some occupied territory in Russian hands, Zelensky insists any deal must include strong security guarantees. These could involve long-term weapons supplies and a clear pathway to NATO membership.
No Sign of War Ending Soon
Despite the diplomatic manoeuvring, Zelensky said intelligence reports show Russia moving forces for new offensives. “On the contrary,” he warned, “they are moving their troops and forces in such a way as to launch new offensive operations.”
