Zelenskyy warns Putin wants the rest of Ukraine's Donetsk region
Speaking at a press briefing in Kyiv, Zelenskyy said Putin wants the remaining 9,000 square kilometres of Donetsk under Kyiv's control, where the war's toughest battles are grinding on, as part of a ceasefire plan.
He then reiterated that Ukraine would not withdraw from territories it controls, saying that would be unconstitutional and would serve only as a springboard for a future Russian invasion.
'We will not leave Donbas. We cannot do this. Everyone forgets the first part—our territories are illegally occupied,' Zelenskyy told reporters at the briefing on Tuesday. 'Donbas for the Russians is a springboard for a future new offensive.'
According to the Ukrainian leader, this is what occurred in 2014 when Russia illegally annexed the Crimean Peninsula.
The amped-up comments on the rejection of any territorial concession come as US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin prepare to meet in Alaska this Friday.
It also comes as Russian forces on the ground have been closing in on a key territorial grab around the city of Pokrovsk.
On Tuesday, Zelenskyy said diplomatic discussions led by the US, focusing on ending the war, have not touched on security guarantees for Ukraine to prevent future Russian aggression, and that meeting formats currently being discussed do not include Europe's participation, both key demands of Kyiv.
Zelenskyy said the necessity of territorial concessions was conveyed to him by US officials ahead of Friday's summit in Alaska and in further meetings at the level of national security officials.
A call with Trump and special envoy Steve Witkoff after the latter's bilateral meeting with Putin gave more details about this, he said.
Witkoff reportedly told Zelenskyy that Russia was ready to end the war and that there should be territorial concessions from both sides. Some European partners were also part of the call.
Seeking Trump's ear before the summit
It remained unclear whether Ukraine would take part in the Alaska summit. European Union leaders also have been sidelined from the meeting, and they appealed to Trump on Tuesday to protect their interests.
The US president has disappointed allies in Europe by saying Ukraine will have to give up some Russian-held territory. He also said Russia must accept land swaps, although it was unclear what Putin might be expected to surrender.
The Europeans and Ukraine are wary that Putin, who has waged the biggest land war in Europe since 1945 and used Russia's energy might to try to intimidate the EU, might secure favourable concessions and set the outlines of a peace deal without them.
This Wednesday, EU leaders are expected to make a fresh attempt to rally Trump to Ukraine's cause at virtual meetings convened by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Trump did not confirm whether he would take part, but did say on Monday, 'I'm going to get everybody's ideas,' before meeting with Putin.
Trump has said he wants to see whether Putin is serious about ending the war, now in its fourth year.
Referring to the format for ceasefire talks, Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that the US proposed a bilateral meeting between the US and Russia and then a trilateral meeting that would include Ukraine. Zelenskyy said the presence of Europe was important for Kyiv because these were the only partners offering security guarantees, including funding the Ukrainian army.
Russia currently holds shaky control over four of Ukraine's regions, two in the country's east and two in the south.
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