High-Stakes Diplomacy: Zelenskiy Faces Pressure in Ukraine Conflict Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy claims undue pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump amid negotiations in the conflict against Moscow. Rejecting plans demanding Ukraine relinquish more territory, Zelenskiy emphasizes that any concessions would be deemed unacceptable by Ukrainian citizens if held to a referendum.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has publicly claimed that U.S. President Donald Trump is applying undue pressure during negotiations aiming to resolve the prolonged conflict between Kyiv and Moscow. Zelenskiy, in an interview with Axios, has emphasized that any plan requiring further territorial concessions from Ukraine would likely be rejected by its citizens.

According to Axios, Zelenskiy asserted that it felt unjust for Trump to urge Ukraine, rather than Russia, to make concessions in peace negotiations. He expressed hope that Trump's stance was merely a tactical move, not a concrete decision, as discussions continue in Geneva between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russian negotiators.

Despite the pressure, Zelenskiy conveyed gratitude for Trump's efforts in peace negotiations, maintaining that conversations with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner remained pressure-free. Zelenskiy reiterated that Ukrainian voters would find conceding the entirety of the Donbas region to Russia unacceptable if subjected to a referendum.

(With inputs from agencies.)