STORY: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday (August 9) that Ukraine could not violate its constitution on territorial issues, adding that "Ukrainians will not give their land to occupiers."

Zelenskiy was responding to US President Donald Trump's statement on Friday (August 8) that he would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15 in Alaska to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine

Trump said that the parties, including Zelenskiy, were close to a ceasefire deal that could resolve the three-and-a-half-year conflict, one that could require Ukraine to surrender significant territory.

Addressing reporters at the White House earlier on Friday, Trump suggested an agreement would involve some exchange of land.

"President Trump announced preparations for his meeting with (Russian President Vladimir) Putin in Alaska. Very far away from this war, which is raging on our land, against our people, and which anyway can't be ended without us, without Ukraine," Zelenskiy said.

Putin claims four Ukrainian regions – Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson – as well as the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, which he annexed in 2014. His forces do not fully control all the territory in the four regions.

Ukraine has previously signaled a willingness to be flexible in the search for an end to a war that has ravaged its towns and cities and killed large numbers of its soldiers and citizens.

But accepting the loss of around a fifth of Ukraine's territory would be painful and politically challenging for Zelenskiy and his government.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: KYIV, UKRAINE (AUGUST 9, 2025) (UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE - Access all)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY SAYING:

"(US) President (Donald) Trump announced preparations for his meeting with (Russian President Vladimir) Putin in Alaska. Very far away from this war, which is raging on our land, against our people, and which anyway can't be ended without us, without Ukraine."

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY SAYING:

"Of course, we will not reward Russia for what it has perpetrated. The Ukrainian people deserve peace. But all partners must understand what a dignified peace is."

4. WHITE FLASH

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY SAYING:

"The answer to the Ukrainian territorial question already is in the Constitution of Ukraine. No one will deviate from this – and no one will be able to. Ukrainians will not gift their land to the occupier."

6. WHITE FLASH

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY SAYING:

"This war must be brought to an end – and Russia must end it. Russia started it and is dragging it out, ignoring all deadlines, and that is the problem, not something else."

8. WHITE FLASH

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY SAYING:

"We are ready to work together with President Trump, together with all our partners for real and, most importantly, lasting peace. A peace that will not collapse because of Moscow's desires.

10. WHITE FLASH

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY SAYING:

"Ukraine is ready for real decisions that can bring peace. Any decisions that are against us, any decisions that are without Ukraine, are at the same time decisions against peace. They will not achieve anything. These are stillborn decisions. They are unworkable decisions. And we all need real and genuine peace."