Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ruled out any agreement that would trade Ukrainian territory for an end to Russia’s invasion.
Speaking ahead of a high-stakes meeting in Berlin with US president Donald Trump and several European leaders, Zelensky insisted that only a “fair peace” can bring the war to a close.
The Ukrainian leader stressed that he will never endorse any proposal that compromises the nation’s sovereignty.
“Ukraine will not accept the occupation of even one centimetre of our land,” he said.
His remarks come amid speculation that some Western negotiators might push for a compromise involving territorial concessions to Moscow in exchange for a ceasefire.
Zelensky’s position sets the tone for the upcoming Berlin talks, which are expected to address not only battlefield developments but also long-term security guarantees for Ukraine.
US President Donald Trump, who has pledged to end the war “quickly” if re-elected, will join European Union leaders and NATO officials at the meeting.
Zelensky made clear he will challenge any proposal that falls short of full Russian withdrawal.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces reported fresh gains in Donetsk, one of the most contested regions of the conflict.
Kyiv’s military said troops advanced into several frontline villages, pushing back Russian units and destroying key supply routes.
These advances, although modest, bolster Zelensky’s argument that Ukraine can still reclaim occupied territories with sustained international support.
The Ukrainian president also linked the fight for territorial integrity to the global principle of national sovereignty.
“If Ukraine falls, others will follow,” he warned.
He called on world leaders to recognise that conceding land to Russia would set a dangerous precedent, encouraging other aggressors to redraw borders by force.
In Nigeria, where concerns about territorial disputes and border security resonate strongly, Zelensky’s defiance has drawn attention.
Analysts note that his uncompromising stance mirrors the type of national resilience often celebrated in African political discourse.
Many Nigerian foreign policy experts see Ukraine’s struggle as a lesson in defending sovereignty against external pressure.
Zelensky enters the Berlin meeting with both a moral argument and battlefield momentum. Yet, the political challenge remains steep.
Trump’s emphasis on “ending the war quickly” contrasts sharply with Zelensky’s insistence on full territorial restoration.
European leaders may also face domestic pressure to find a compromise that reduces the economic burden of prolonged conflict.
As the war enters its third year, the gap between calls for compromise and demands for justice remains wide.
For Zelensky, the choice is clear peace without victory is no peace at all.