Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected a reported proposal from Russian President Vladimir Putin to withdraw Ukrainian forces from the remaining 30% of the Donetsk region under Kyiv’s control in exchange for a ceasefire.
Speaking at a press briefing Tuesday, Zelenskyy said surrendering the 9,000 square kilometers still held by Ukraine would be unconstitutional and would serve as a launchpad for future Russian offensives. “We will not leave Donbas. We cannot do this. Our territories are illegally occupied,” he said, likening the proposal to Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
The Ukrainian leader said the idea was conveyed by U.S. officials ahead of Friday’s planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Putin in Alaska. Kyiv has yet to confirm whether it will take part. European leaders have also been excluded from the talks and have urged Trump to protect their interests, stressing that “the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.”
Zelenskyy warned that current U.S.-Russia talks have not addressed Ukraine’s demand for security guarantees and European participation. Kyiv sees European nations as its only partners offering long-term defense commitments.
Meanwhile, Russian forces are pushing toward the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk, with analysts warning the next 48 hours could be critical. Ukrainian military officials described the situation as “difficult, unpleasant and dynamic,” as infantry units attempt to breach defensive lines.
Elsewhere, a Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian military training facility killed one soldier and wounded 11, the Ukrainian Ground Forces said.
Western analysts caution that any ceasefire favoring Moscow could undermine international law, weaken the transatlantic alliance, and embolden Russia to threaten other parts of Europe.
