**Ukraine Rejects Territorial Concessions to End Russia’s War**
In a firm rejection of the idea, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that his country will not cede any territory to end Russia’s war. This statement comes after US President Donald Trump suggested the possibility of territorial “swapping” in peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv.
On August 8, Trump mentioned that peace talks would likely involve some swapping of territories. However, he did not specify what he meant by this comment. It is believed that Trump’s remark could have referred to Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, as well as parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts.
**Ukraine Stands Firm**
Zelensky responded strongly to Trump’s comment, saying that the answer to Ukraine’s territorial question is already stated in the country’s Constitution. He emphasized that Ukrainians will not gift their land to an occupier. The Ukrainian President also made it clear that his country deserves a “dignified” peace, and that Kyiv’s partners must understand this principle.
**Russia’s Demands**
In contrast to Ukraine’s firm stance, Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly demanded that Ukraine forget about NATO membership and withdraw troops from four of its regions as preconditions for peace. This would require several large cities under Ukrainian control to be handed over to Russia. The annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the partial occupation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts by Russia have been major points of contention between the two countries.
**Upcoming Summit**
The statements from Trump and Putin come ahead of a summit scheduled for August 15 in Alaska. Both leaders have confirmed their attendance, and the meeting will likely focus on discussing the war in Ukraine. It remains to be seen how this meeting will unfold and whether any progress will be made towards resolving the conflict.
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