Khaberni - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in an interview with Axios, today Tuesday, said that the Ukrainian people will reject any peace agreement that includes Ukraine's withdrawal from the Donbas region and handing it over to Russia.
Zelensky criticized the American pressures on his country during the peace negotiations, saying, "It is not fair that US President Donald Trump continues to publicly call on Ukraine and not Russia to concede for peace."
He added, "I hope Trump's talk about holding me responsible for making concessions is just a tactic from him and not a decision."
The Ukrainian President explained that although pressing Ukraine might be easier for Trump compared to pressing Russia, the path to achieving lasting peace does not lie in "giving victory to Russian President Vladimir Putin."
"A failed peace vision"
Zelensky recalled pressures from Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner during the interview with Axios, saying, "I advised Witkoff and Kushner not to try to force me to promote a peace vision seen by my people as failed."
The Ukrainian President expressed his country's readiness to stop attacks amid ongoing peace talks if Russia stopped its attacks, affirming that Kyiv is ready to quickly move towards an agreement that leads to stopping the war.
Trump had stated twice in recent days that the responsibility lies with Zelensky to make concessions. Yesterday, Monday, the American president said, "It is better for Ukraine to come to the negotiating table, and quickly."
Zelensky's statements coincide with the meeting of Ukrainian and Russian negotiators in the Swiss capital Geneva today, Tuesday, as part of a third round of direct talks sponsored by the United States, aimed at putting an end to the war that has been ongoing for 4 years, following two rounds of negotiations held this year in Abu Dhabi.
The main point of contention in the negotiations is control over the Donbas region, which Ukraine still controls about 10% of its territory, located in the east of the country.
Russia controls about 20% of Ukrainian lands, including the Crimean Peninsula.
