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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has again ruled out surrendering any territory to Russia, insisting that Kyiv cannot "give away precisely what we are fighting to protect," even as American negotiators push a revised framework aimed at ending the nearly four-year conflict. Speaking to reporters after a series of high-level meetings with European leaders, Zelensky said the latest U.S. draft is an improvement but still contains unresolved issues that Ukraine "cannot simply sign off on for the sake of speed."
According to Ukrainian officials, the proposal has been narrowed to roughly twenty core points after earlier versions drew intense backlash for appearing too accommodating to Moscow. Kyiv welcomed the removal of what Zelensky described as "openly anti-Ukrainian clauses," but he emphasized that territorial concessions remain a non-starter. "We have legal, constitutional, international, and moral obligations," he said. "None of them allow us to trade away our land."
Zelensky's comments come as the White House attempts to recalibrate its approach under mounting criticism that Washington is eager for a compromise. Several U.S. officials involved in the talks maintain that the administration is searching for a formula that provides lasting security guarantees while preventing the war from dragging on indefinitely. But Zelensky argued that guarantees must be ironclad, warning that Ukraine will not accept another agreement resembling the failed Budapest Memorandum.
European leaders, including Britain's Keir Starmer, France's Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Friedrich Merz, met Zelensky in London, telling him that unity between Europe and the United States remains essential as negotiations intensify. Still, Zelensky noted that Europe has yet to clarify how it would respond if Russia reignites attacks after a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Russian strikes continue to batter Ukrainian infrastructure, triggering rolling blackouts and fueling domestic pressure on Kyiv to secure stronger defense commitments. Ukrainian forces have launched retaliation strikes on facilities inside Russia, underscoring the conflict's growing volatility.
Zelensky said Ukraine will present its formal response to Washington's plan once final revisions are complete. But he reiterated that any settlement "must remove the risk of a second invasion," adding that Ukrainians will not accept a peace built on concessions or uncertainty.
