Ukrainian president claims Putin is buying time, accuses Russia of insincerity ahead of Paris summit
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared on Wednesday that Kyiv would “never cede” any occupied territories to Russia and warned that President Donald Trump may be underestimating Russian President Vladimir Putin’s intentions. Speaking ahead of a summit in Paris, Zelensky asserted Ukraine’s steadfast position as peace negotiations continue under U.S. leadership.
“One thing is certain: we will never cede our occupied territories to Russia. These lands belong to the Ukrainians,” Zelensky told France’s Le Figaro in an interview published Wednesday, adding that while regaining control “probably” won’t happen immediately, it may occur “diplomatically,” because “diplomacy causes fewer victims” (source).
Zelensky’s remarks come amid growing tensions over a perceived push by Western negotiators for Ukraine to accept Russia’s control over parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—regions seized following Russia’s 2022 invasion—as well as Crimea, annexed in 2014. While Ukraine initially surprised Russia with counteroffensives, the war has since settled into a grueling and static conflict. Despite significant casualties, Ukrainian forces have struggled to reclaim large amounts of territory.
This week, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff sparked outrage in Kyiv by stating that global recognition of the loss of the occupied territories may be necessary for any lasting peace deal with Moscow. Ukrainian officials have demanded President Trump dismiss Witkoff over the comments.
Zelensky, who has had a tense relationship with President Trump, expressed skepticism over the former president’s diplomatic approach to Russia. “Donald Trump tried to create good diplomatic relations with Russia. But this kind of method doesn’t work with a man like Putin,” he said. “If Donald Trump eases sanctions against Russia, [Putin] will only deduce one thing: that he is a weak president and can therefore take the next step.”
Zelensky accused Russia of using the ongoing peace negotiations to stall for time and prepare for renewed military action. He stated that Ukraine had agreed to an unconditional ceasefire for the Riyadh talks, while Russia allegedly demanded that sanctions be lifted before engaging further—terms Zelensky argued were not serious.
“Putin is trying to buy time and that he is preparing for a spring offensive,” Zelensky said, claiming Ukrainian intelligence had shared with allies that Russia may soon target the Sumy and Kharkiv regions. He said Moscow had delayed a planned operation from eight months prior due to Ukrainian actions in Kursk and now needed time to regroup.
On Thursday, European leaders are set to convene in Paris to discuss ongoing military support for Ukraine and the potential deployment of British and European peacekeepers in the event of a ceasefire. French President Emmanuel Macron announced an additional two billion euros in military aid and emphasized, “The goal is to keep Ukraine on its feet. France will continue its commitment, in consultation with its European partners and allies.”
Macron also joined calls for Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire with “no preconditions.” Simultaneously, the European Union reinforced its stance that sanctions on Russia will remain in place unless Moscow fully withdraws.
“The end of unprovoked and unjustified Russian aggression in Ukraine and the unconditional withdrawal of all Russian military forces from the entire Ukrainian territory would be the main prerequisites for changing or lifting sanctions,” a spokesman for the European Commission said.
As the conflict nears its third anniversary, Zelensky remains defiant about the future of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territory, even as pressure mounts to reach a negotiated end to the war.
Leave a Comment