Ukraine President Zelensky unveils a revised peace plan, rejecting any land concessions to Russia. He seeks NATO support, emphasizing legality and public referendum, while negotiating with European leaders to secure ongoing military backing against potential future invasions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
New Delhi: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing to present a revised peace plan to the United States which rules out giving up land for peace. Ukraine avoids making any territorial concessions to Russia. Ukraine President Zelensky has refused to surrender land to Russia, saying he has "no right" to compromise under Ukrainian or international law.
Zelensky's diplomatic tour to Europe was initiated after Kyiv felt peace proposal was too favourable to Russia. On the subject of surrendering land for peace, Zelensky said: "Russia is insisting that we give up territories, but we don't want to cede anything. We have no legal right to do so, under Ukrainian law, our constitution and international law. And we don't have any moral right either."
Ukraine President Zelensky made these comments after meeting NATO leaders of Europe. He asked for a collective decision of all the NATO members to deter the US from backing a peace deal which wants Ukraine to make compromise on its territories and does not ensure that Russia will not make any future invasion after the peace deal.
Zelensky has all along maintained that any change in Ukraine's borders would need a public referendum. Leaders in Kyiv and across Europe have indicated there has been progress in refining the new peace proposal.
Russia-Ukraine balance in India and Zelensky's possible visit
The new proposal was drafted by Ukraine President Zelensky, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. This new proposal was widely viewed as a show of support for Ukraine as it seeks to resist White House pressure.
Efforts continue to assemble an international coalition prepared to offer ongoing military support to Kyiv in the event of a peace deal, though it is not yet clear what form that would take.
Following talks in London, Zelensky flew to Brussels to meet Nato chief Mark Rutte and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, and will meet Prime Minister Georgia Meloni in Italy on for further negotiations.
