By John Q. Hosedrinker 
According to Reuters sources, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected a demand from Russian President Vladimir Putin, communicated through former US President Donald Trump, to cede the remaining Ukrainian-controlled areas of Donetsk Oblast to Russia in exchange for freezing the front lines in other regions. Trump, in turn, informed both Ukrainian and European leaders that Putin wanted to discuss the terms of ending the war immediately. This proposal comes after Trump and Putin’s meeting ended without agreements. European leaders have been invited to participate in the talks between Trump and Zelenskyy.
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Zelenskyy rejects Putin’s demand to cede all of Donetsk Oblast – Reuters, and honestly, that’s the only sensible response. It’s not just about Donetsk; it’s about the principle. Ceding land to an aggressor doesn’t bring peace; it just emboldens them. It’s a bit like giving a bully a piece of your lunch because they demanded it – they’ll be back for more tomorrow. This isn’t a negotiation; it’s a demand, and Zelenskyy is right to refuse it.
Any suggestion of “freezing the front” and just handing over territory is essentially rewarding Russia for their actions. It gives them time to regroup, rearm, and plan the next offensive. We’ve seen this movie before. It’s a tragic, repetitive cycle. Why would anyone believe that giving Russia what it wants will lead to a lasting peace? It just sets the stage for the next chapter of aggression. It’s like the old saying goes, “give an inch, and they’ll take a mile.”
And let’s be frank: Russia doesn’t want just Donetsk. They want it all. They want Ukraine. So, offering up territory is a short-sighted strategy that won’t achieve anything in the long run. Zelenskyy understands this. He’s fighting for his country’s sovereignty and future. It’s not about a quick fix; it’s about the long game, a commitment to Ukraine’s survival and freedom.
The situation is complicated, no doubt. There’s talk of weapons deliveries, international agreements, and Ukraine strengthening its defenses. But we also see figures like Trump, who seem more interested in cozying up to Putin than standing with Ukraine. It feels like they’re playing the role of an obstacle to peace and actively looking for ways to reward Russia. The idea of Trump arranging any deal of significance involving Putin is quite frankly, laughable.
The reality is that Russia is not going to stop. Giving in to their demands doesn’t solve the problem; it simply postpones it and likely makes it worse. It’s a bit like trying to appease a war criminal. What would they give up in return? Nothing. This isn’t about fair play; this is about survival. Zelenskyy is right to stand firm, and the international community needs to back him, not with empty words but with tangible support.
The only acceptable “deal” is Russia leaving Ukraine, and the pre-2022 border is the only acceptable starting point for negotiations, or even a discussion. Anything less is simply appeasement and a betrayal of the Ukrainian people. There’s no point in ceding any land to Russia. It’s a waste of time and oxygen.
Sure, there are arguments about the war’s cost and the potential for Ukraine to run out of manpower. But giving up land is not a guarantee of peace, and it might even speed up their loss. There’s no guarantee that declining the deal will lead to a favorable outcome. But the situation might get worse. It’s a gamble, but it’s a gamble for Ukraine’s future. Zelenskyy is playing the long game, and the goal is to win back the land.
It’s a difficult situation, but the bottom line is: Russia’s aggression cannot be rewarded. Trump is just after a Nobel Peace Prize and is, as usual, putting himself first.