Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected calls for immediate peace negotiations with Russia without a prior ceasefire, reaffirming Kyiv’s stance that halting hostilities must precede any discussion of settlement terms. His remarks came during a Sunday press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, ahead of their planned talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine cannot engage in dialogue “under pressure of weapons,” insisting that an operational truce is essential to review Moscow’s extensive demands and negotiate a durable resolution.
“If there are really as many [demands] as we have heard, it will take time to go through them all,” Zelensky stated, underscoring the complexity of potential discussions. Russia has consistently dismissed Kyiv’s calls for a ceasefire, asserting that pauses in fighting would allow Ukrainian forces to replenish military supplies. The Ukrainian leader also categorically ruled out territorial concessions, citing constitutional prohibitions on ceding land. This position drew criticism earlier this month from Trump, who questioned Zelensky’s reliance on constitutional constraints for rejecting compromises. “He’s got approval to go into war and kill everybody, but he needs approval to do a land swap?” Trump remarked, expressing skepticism over the rationale.
Von der Leyen reiterated the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine, vowing to bolster its defenses through increased drone production and sustained military aid. Describing Ukraine as needing to become a “steel porcupine, indigestible to potential invaders,” she affirmed that territorial decisions “belong only to Ukraine” and pledged continued diplomatic and economic pressure on Russia. The bloc is preparing its 19th package of sanctions against Moscow, she added, stressing that Kyiv’s sovereignty remains non-negotiable in any settlement.
The escalating diplomatic efforts coincide with heightened tensions over the trajectory of the conflict, now in its third year. While Western allies emphasize military and financial backing for Ukraine, Moscow maintains that Kyiv’s demands for preconditions—including withdrawal of Russian troops—are unrealistic. As Zelensky and Von der Leyen prepare for high-stakes discussions in Washington, the absence of a clear pathway to negotiations highlights the deepening divide between Kyiv’s insistence on security guarantees and Russia’s rejection of terms it deems unfavorable.
