Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told former U.S. president Donald Trump and several European leaders in a phone call on August 16 that Ukraine will not give up the parts of the Donetsk region it still controls, even as part of a peace deal, according to Reuters.
This shows that Ukraine refuses to hand over land taken by Russia since 2014 and suggests there is little room for compromise before possible talks in Washington. The Financial Times reported that while Zelenskyy is open to talking about some territorial questions, he considers Donbas off-limits for negotiation.
His comments come as international mediators search for ways to end the war in eastern Ukraine, which has lasted more than ten years. Ukraine’s position highlights ongoing disagreements over sovereignty and security promises, which have blocked past peace efforts.