Meeting with European Leaders
"No Right to Relinquish"
Trump Criticizes Both Europe and Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, is attending a bilateral meeting at the White House on October 17 (local time). Photo by UPI
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has once again rejected Russia's demand for "territorial concessions," which Moscow has set as a key condition for ending the war. He also announced plans to send related documents to the United States in the near future.
According to reports from AP and Reuters on December 9 (local time), President Zelensky said in a WhatsApp audio Q&A with journalists the previous night, "Without a doubt, Russia is demanding that we give up our territory," adding, "We clearly do not want to give up anything." He further emphasized, "Whether by our own laws, international law, or moral principles, we have no right to relinquish anything."
Russia is demanding that Ukraine recognize all of Donbas in the east, including about 30% of the territory that Ukraine does not control, as Russian territory. This issue is reportedly included in the ceasefire proposal currently being mediated by the Donald Trump administration in the United States.
In contrast, Ukraine and major European countries are refusing to make territorial concessions. The U.S. and Ukrainian delegations coordinated the ceasefire proposal over three days from the 4th to the 6th, but the details were not disclosed. However, Axios, citing a Ukrainian official, reported that "provisions regarding territory and control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant have become tougher in the latest U.S. proposal."
On the same day, President Zelensky posted on X that "the components of Ukraine and Europe have further developed, and we are ready to present them to the United States." He added, "Everything depends on whether Russia is ready to take effective measures to stop the bloodshed and prevent the war from reigniting," stating, "We will send a refined document to the United States in the near future."
Meanwhile, in an interview with Politico, former President Trump said, "Russia has the upper hand in negotiations," adding, "It would be good if he (Zelensky) reads (the latest U.S. ceasefire proposal). His aides liked it as well." Regarding his son Donald Trump Jr.'s earlier comment that "Trump might withdraw from the Ukraine issue," he said, "That's not accurate, but it's not entirely wrong," emphasizing, "They need to cooperate."
When asked what he would do if Zelensky refuses to agree, Trump said, "He needs to understand the situation and start to accept it," adding, "Because he is losing." He repeatedly stated, "Russia has taken a lot of land," and "Russia has the advantage," insisting that Russia is in a favorable position in the negotiations.
Criticizing the stance of Ukraine and Europe, Trump said, "They (Europe) only talk and do not deliver. The war just continues." He also targeted President Zelensky, saying, "They have not held elections for a long time. While talking about democracy, they have reached a point where it is no longer democracy." In doing so, he lent support to Russia's argument, which has been demanding Zelensky's reelection since his term ended in May last year but he remains in power under wartime martial law.
Meanwhile, President Zelensky, who is touring Europe to rally support, reportedly communicated with journalists via online voice messages as he did not have time for a press conference. The previous day, he met with the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, then met with the NATO Secretary-General and the President of the European Commission in Brussels. On this day, he met with the Pope and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome.
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