In a video address on Saturday, August 9, Zelensky said, 'The answer to the Ukrainian territorial question is already in the constitution of Ukraine. No one will retreat from this, and no one can. Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.'
His statement came just hours after Trump suggested 'some swapping of territories' as part of a peace deal with Russia, a proposal that has drawn swift criticism from Kyiv and its European allies.
Trump made the comments amid preparations for a planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, the first official summit between the two since the outbreak of war. While Trump did not clarify whether Zelensky had been invited, sources familiar with the negotiations indicated that Ukraine's president had not yet received an invitation.
The idea of a territorial swap is not new, but it remains highly controversial. Russia has demanded that Ukraine relinquish control of parts of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine as a condition for a ceasefire â€" demands that Kyiv has consistently rejected.
Moscow controls approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, including the annexed Crimean Peninsula and large areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and parts of Kharkiv regions.
European leaders have voiced strong support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. On Saturday, leaders from Britain, Finland, France, Germany, Poland, and the European Union issued a joint statement underscoring their commitment to Ukraine's independence and calling for robust security guarantees.
The statement by the leaders reaffirmed that international borders must not be altered by force and emphasised that any negotiations must occur after a ceasefire or reduction in hostilities.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who spoke with Zelensky on Saturday, reiterated the need to maintain pressure on Russia to end its illegal invasion. Similarly, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity with Kyiv, stressing the importance of not allowing Russia to 'deceive anyone again.'
Ukraine's firm stance reflects deep domestic concerns over territorial concessions. The war has displaced millions and caused tens of thousands of military and civilian casualties, fueling widespread resistance to any deal that involves relinquishing Ukrainian land. Zelensky highlighted this reality, saying, 'Any decisions against us, any decisions without Ukraine, are simultaneously decisions against peace. They will bring nothing.'
Despite the ongoing conflict and military setbacks, Zelensky stressed that Ukraine is open to a 'real and lasting peace' in partnership with international allies. However, he insisted that peace must be based on respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The planned Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska has sparked fears in Kyiv and Western capitals that it could serve to legitimise Russian territorial gains and prolong the war. U.S. officials described recent discussions as 'productive' but acknowledged the complexities involved.
Russia has recently offered to withdraw from small areas in Sumy and Kharkiv regions, but these concessions fall far short of Ukraine's demands. Moscow also rejected proposed meeting locations in Europe, instead agreeing to Alaska as the venue, which some analysts view as a symbolic location reflecting the former Russian Empire's reach.
As the war enters its third year, the question of Ukraine's territorial future remains deeply contentious, with Zelensky's government firmly opposing any solution that undermines the country's sovereignty. The international community continues to call for a ceasefire and negotiations that include Ukraine as an equal partner in deciding its fate.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
