By John Q. Hosedrinker 
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy affirmed Ukraine’s stance against ceding territory to Russia, citing the constitution as a barrier to such negotiations. He emphasized that discussions about territorial issues should involve Ukraine, potentially in trilateral talks with the U.S. and Russia, although the Kremlin has shown no interest in such a meeting. This follows Russian President Vladimir Putin’s demands for control of parts of eastern Ukraine as a condition for ending the war, which was reportedly discussed in a meeting with former U.S. President Trump. Zelenskyy hopes the upcoming meeting with allies and Trump will be productive.
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Zelenskyy refuses to surrender Ukrainian land to Moscow in future peace talks, and honestly, it’s a pretty straightforward stance, isn’t it? Considering the history and the current situation, the idea of giving up territory seems like a non-starter. It’s like, why would you reward aggression and essentially give the green light for more of the same down the line? It’s a lesson learned in history: appeasement rarely works, and in fact, it often emboldens the aggressor. You’d have to be incredibly naive to think that giving Russia what they want would be a solution.
They’ve got a track record, you see. Back in 1991 and 1994, they agreed to the current borders. Then, they went ahead and invaded Crimea and part of Donbas in 2014. And just when you thought, “Okay, maybe this is the end,” they came back for more in 2022. So, the pattern is pretty clear, isn’t it? They take what they want, and they come back for seconds (and thirds and fourths!). Surrendering land would just encourage more of the same. It’s not a question of patriotism alone; it’s a matter of common sense.
Furthermore, it’s not just a matter of political will. It’s actually written into their constitution. They can’t just give away land because they feel like it. Some countries, it seems, still value their foundational documents and principles. And if you’re a leader, you are legally bound by the constitution of your country, which makes this decision even more clear-cut. It’s a point of law, a point of honor, and a point of strategic thinking all rolled into one.
Let’s put it another way: imagine if someone came into your house, stole some of your belongings, and then, to make them go away, you had to give them the rest of the house. It’s absurd, right? It’s the same principle here. Why would you reward the thief? Why would you allow them to keep the spoils of their crime? It’s Ukraine’s land, plain and simple, and Russia started this mess. They should be the ones backing down, not Ukraine.
The analogy of the US surrendering Texas to Mexico, or Florida to Colombia, is something that many can relate to. It’s not something that would be considered. The idea of just handing over territory for peace is a betrayal of the people who are fighting and have died for their country. It’s also a message to any other nation that might consider aggression – it’s a clear signal of weakness. It also, clearly, isn’t peace, it’s capitulation.
It’s not hard to see the dedication Zelenskyy has for his people. It’s admirable and should be respected. He understands what’s at stake, and he’s willing to stand up for his country. He’s showing true leadership, the kind that doesn’t bow to bullies. He’s also not someone you can easily be bullied into negotiating via red carpet welcome. He is committed to defending every inch of Ukrainian soil, which is why there’s no chance he’ll be surrendering land.
And, let’s be honest, any peace talks have to start with the understanding that there’s no reward for Russia. It’s about justice and upholding international law. You can’t just let an aggressor get away with their actions. If you do, you’re setting a terrible precedent for the future. If giving away land was a solution, then it would have been a solution in 2014. It wasn’t and it won’t be now.
It’s also about trust. Who can trust those who do not honor their own agreements? If a country is unwilling to honor its own commitments, how can anyone believe anything it says in future negotiations? It’s a complex situation, but at the core of it, the decision is simple. It is a fight for the integrity of a nation. Zelenskyy won’t be giving up Ukrainian land, and that’s the only way it should be.