Zelenskyy Vows No Donbas Withdrawal, Conditions Talks on Ceasefire Ahead of Trump-Putin Summit
Kyiv, Ukraine – August 14, 2025 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared he will not surrender the Donbas region and would reject any Russian demand for Ukrainian troop withdrawals, framing the territory as a vital defensive shield.
“If we withdraw from the Donbas today, our fortifications, our terrain, the heights we control, we will clearly open a bridgehead for the Russians to prepare an offensive,” President Zelenskyy stated emphatically. He argued that relinquishing the positions Ukrainian forces currently hold would provide Russia with a strategic advantage for future attacks.
The President underscored that any discussions concerning territorial issues could only occur after Moscow formally agrees to a ceasefire. This hardline stance comes just days before the highly anticipated summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled for Friday in Alaska. The Alaska meeting is expected to heavily focus on the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In a related diplomatic push, President Zelenskyy is set to participate in a series of crucial video calls on Wednesday. He will join German Chancellor Friedrich Merz – who is hosting the virtual meetings – alongside US President Donald Trump and other key European leaders. These talks are widely seen as a coordinated effort to align Western positions ahead of the Trump-Putin summit and to bolster support for Ukraine’s conditions for peace negotiations.
Zelenskyy’s remarks signal Ukraine’s unwavering position on defending its sovereign territory, even as intense fighting continues along the eastern frontlines. He places the onus squarely on Russia to take the first step towards de-escalation by agreeing to a cessation of hostilities before territorial matters can be addressed.