In an interview with the U.S. portal Axios, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his discontent about Donald Trump urging Ukraine to make concessions while similar demands are not placed on Russia. Zelensky remarked that he hopes Trump's stance is merely a tactical move and not a definitive decision. Trump's comments indicated that Ukraine should take steps for successful peace negotiations, suggesting that they should quickly engage at the negotiating table.

Zelensky emphasized that his discussions with U.S. negotiators, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, occur in an atmosphere of mutual respect and without any pressure to concede. He underscored that he is not a person who easily succumbs to external pressure. This highlights Zelensky's determination to uphold Ukraine's position and his desire for negotiations that maintain the integrity of the nation's sovereign rights and concerns.

Additionally, Zelensky firmly rejected any possibility of agreeing to Russia's demand for the annexation of all of Donbas. He stated that even if such a plan were to be presented in a referendum, Ukrainians would not support it, indicating a strong national sentiment against compromising territories. This response highlights the ongoing tensions regarding territorial integrity and sovereignty as Ukraine navigates pressures from both internal and external actors regarding the conflict in Eastern Ukraine.