Ahead of Putin-Trump meeting on Aug. 15, Ukrainian president cautions against making any decisions on Ukraine without Kyiv representatives
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that Kyiv will not compromise on territorial issues while negotiating peace with Moscow.
“The answer to the Ukrainian territorial question already is in the Constitution of Ukraine. No one will deviate from this – and no one will be able to. Ukrainians will not gift their land to the occupier,” he said on Telegram.
Zelenskyy’s statement came hours after US President Donald Trump announced a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Aug. 15 in Alaska aimed to discuss the Ukrainian settlement.
Media reports earlier claimed that one of Trump’s conditions for the meeting was Zelenskyy’s participation, while the reports have yet to be officially confirmed.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy cautioned against making any decisions regarding Ukraine without its representatives.
“Ukraine is ready for real decisions that can bring peace. Any decisions that are against us, any decisions that are without Ukraine, are at the same time decisions against peace,” he stressed.
Zelenskyy described decisions made without Ukraine as “stillborn” and “unworkable,” arguing that they will not achieve anything.
“And we all need real and genuine peace. Peace that people will respect. We are ready to work together with President Trump, together with all our partners for real and, most importantly, lasting peace,” he said.
