Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly ruled out any possibility of ceding Ukrainian territory to Russia, declaring that peace must not come at the cost of rewarding aggression. Speaking on August 9, Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine’s constitution prohibits the transfer of its land to any occupying power, adding that decisions made without Ukraine’s participation would be “decisions against peace.”

The statement comes ahead of a planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15. The meeting is expected to focus on potential peace agreements, with some reports suggesting discussions could involve recognizing Russia’s control over Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine. Such proposals have been met with strong resistance from Kyiv.

Zelenskyy reiterated his long-standing principle of “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,” warning that bypassing Kyiv in negotiations would undermine any chance of a genuine and lasting peace. He also stressed that any settlement must ensure justice for Ukraine, which includes holding Russia accountable for war damages.

In recent months, Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for a “fair” peace, rejecting any compromise that would validate Russia’s 2022 invasion or earlier territorial seizures. During peace discussions in Istanbul earlier this year, he asserted that President Putin should “receive nothing that would justify his aggression.”

The Ukrainian leader’s remarks highlight growing tensions over international diplomatic efforts, especially as Kyiv fears being sidelined in high-level talks between global powers. While the Alaska summit raises hopes for progress toward ending the conflict, Ukraine’s government remains steadfast in its refusal to give up land in exchange for peace.