Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday (August 12) dismissed a Russian offer to give up more Ukrainian territory in exchange for a ceasefire, warning that the move would only pave the way for another conflict.
Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv, Zelenskyy said Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted Ukraine to withdraw from the remaining 9,000 square kilometres of Donetsk still under Kyiv’s control. According to him, this demand was conveyed by US officials ahead of the upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Putin in Alaska on Friday. He made it clear that accepting such terms would “merely lay the groundwork for another war.”
Zelenskyy added that he did not believe Trump backed Moscow’s demands and hoped the US leader would act as a neutral mediator during talks with Putin.
Signs of Escalation, Not Peace
The Ukrainian leader stressed there was no indication that Russia intended to honour a ceasefire. He pointed to reports of small Russian sabotage groups breaching Ukrainian defences in eastern Donbas, moving about six miles in three days. Zelenskyy also warned of possible new Russian offensives along three separate sectors of the frontline.
Putin’s Motives and US Pressure Concerns
Ahead of his own virtual meeting with US and European leaders, Zelenskyy accused Putin of wanting control over Ukraine because he “does not want a sovereign Ukraine.” He cautioned that it would be dangerous for Washington to push Kyiv into accepting Moscow’s demands after the Alaska talks, as the territory in question covered “about 90,000 square kilometres” of Ukraine.
Russia’s Offer and Trump’s Comments
Last week, Russia hinted for the first time that it might agree to a ceasefire if Ukraine withdrew from the parts of Donbas still under Kyiv’s control. While Trump floated the idea of a possible “swapping of territories,” Zelenskyy said Russia’s offer amounted only to “not to advance further, not to withdraw from anywhere,” making it clear that no real exchange of land was being proposed.
