ROME — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a firm rejection of mounting pressure from the United States to cede territory to Russia as a pathway to peace, declaring that Ukraine has "no moral right" to surrender any of its land as he intensifies diplomatic efforts to secure unwavering support from European allies.
The Ukrainian leader's defiant stance comes amid sustained lobbying from Washington. In an interview with Politico published Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump again pressed Zelenskyy to accept a proposal requiring Ukraine to relinquish control of the Donbas region. Trump argued that Russia holds the "upper hand" and that Ukraine must "play ball," claiming other unnamed Ukrainian officials "loved the proposal."
In response, Zelenskyy, speaking via WhatsApp to journalists, was unequivocal: "Undoubtedly, Russia insists for us to give up territories. We, clearly, don’t want to give up anything. That’s what we are fighting for." He anchored his refusal in multiple layers of authority, stating, "According to Ukraine’s law, our constitution, international law, and to be frank, we don’t have a moral right either."
European Allies Rally Behind Kyiv
Faced with American pressure, Zelenskyy has embarked on a crucial diplomatic tour to solidify a united European front. On Monday, he met in London with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The European leaders strongly backed Kyiv, with Starmer emphasizing the peace push was at a "critical stage" and required a "just and lasting ceasefire." While expressing some skepticism about details in the U.S. proposal, Merz acknowledged the decisive nature of the coming days, saying, "That’s why we are here." A key European objective is to ensure any ceasefire is backed by concrete, long-term security guarantees to deter future Russian aggression—assurances Trump has not yet provided publicly.
A Shifting U.S. Proposal and Enduring Stalemate
U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators concluded three days of talks over the weekend, with Zelenskyy noting the American peace plan has been revised from 28 points to 20. He said some "obvious anti-Ukrainian points were removed," but the core demand for territorial concessions remains the primary obstacle.
President Trump has maintained a complex and often contentious stance, simultaneously praising Ukrainian bravery while insisting the war is a "waste" of U.S. funds. He has also amplified calls for Ukraine to hold national elections, despite martial law prohibiting them, suggesting, "You know, they talk about a democracy, but it gets to a point where it’s not a democracy anymore."
War on the Ground: Aerial Strikes and Infrastructure Attacks
As diplomatic maneuvering continues, the brutal conflict on the ground shows no sign of abating. Ukrainian officials reported Russia launched a wave of 110 drones overnight, with air defenses intercepting 84. The attacks have crippled energy infrastructure, causing emergency blackouts across several regions.
Ukraine has responded with its own deep-strike drone campaign. A Ukrainian security official, speaking anonymously, confirmed a successful December 5 attack on a major liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) terminal in Russia's Krasnodar region, which sparked a massive fire that burned for days.
The exchange underscores the grim reality that despite ongoing talks, both sides remain locked in a destructive war of attrition, with Ukraine adamantly refusing to trade land for a peace it views as unjust and unsustainable.
*Source: The Associated Press.*
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