Munich: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said the United States is too often asking Ukraine to make concessions in efforts to end the war with Russia, instead of pressing Moscow to compromise. He made the remarks on Saturday during the Munich Security Conference, where global leaders are discussing ways to stop the conflict.
Zelenskiy said discussions about concessions frequently focus on what Ukraine should give up, while Russia faces less pressure. He stressed that any peace process must be fair and should not force Ukraine to sacrifice its sovereignty.
Diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire are gaining urgency, with the United States leading initiatives to bring Ukraine and Russia toward negotiations. Talks involving multiple parties are expected in the coming weeks, as Washington pushes for progress toward a settlement.
Ukraine has maintained that it will not surrender territory to Russia, including areas in the eastern regions that remain contested. Zelenskiy said real peace requires stronger pressure on Moscow, including tougher sanctions and continued military support for Kyiv.
He also urged European nations to play a stronger role in negotiations, warning that decisions about Europe’s security should not be made without Europe’s full participation.
Despite firm red lines, Kyiv has signaled limited openness to temporary arrangements such as freezing current front lines, provided that Ukraine receives strong security guarantees from Western allies.
Zelenskiy’s comments come amid growing political pressure from Washington to accelerate peace efforts. United States leaders have called for quicker progress toward ending the war, reflecting both global security concerns and domestic political considerations.
European leaders have echoed the need for a settlement that protects Ukraine’s sovereignty and prevents future aggression. Meanwhile, discussions continue among Western allies on tightening sanctions against Russia to increase pressure for a ceasefire.
As new diplomatic talks approach, the central challenge remains balancing the push for peace with Ukraine’s demand for security, territorial integrity and a just resolution to the war.