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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of misleading U.S. President Donald Trump and ruled out any territorial concessions, while reiterating that Kyiv remains ready for direct negotiations to end the war.
Speaking in an interview after meetings with European leaders, Zelenskyy criticized recent contacts between Russia and the U.S. that took place without Ukraine's participation, arguing that such discussions weakened Washington's position.
"Russia and the U.S. decided to speak about Ukraine without Ukraine. It was a mistake, especially for America, because Putin weakened the U.S. position," Zelenskyy said.
"I think he was lying to the president of the United States. Anyway, we are ready to speak, but we won’t give up our territory."
Zelenskyy's comments came after Putin dismissed his proposal for a face-to-face meeting, arguing there was no point in holding talks before a potential peace agreement had been reached.
The Ukrainian president also disclosed that he recently met Russian businessman Roman Abramovich, who conveyed what Zelenskyy described as a message about a possible diplomatic framework. Zelenskyy said he responded that Ukraine had been ready for negotiations from the outset of the war and remains open to diplomacy, but not at the cost of surrendering territory.
Separately, leaders of the U.K., France and Germany reaffirmed their support for Kyiv during talks with Zelenskyy in London, backing direct Ukraine-Russia negotiations alongside U.S. and European participation.
After the meeting, the leaders endorsed direct dialogue between Ukraine and Russia with active participation from both Europe and the U.S. They also backed an immediate ceasefire and stressed that international borders must not be changed by force.
A joint statement outlined several principles for future negotiations, including legally binding security guarantees for Ukraine, continued restrictions on Russian assets and protection of wider European security interests. The leaders also maintained that the current line of contact should serve as the starting point for negotiations.
Beyond diplomacy, Zelenskyy argued that tougher sanctions and continued military pressure could push Russia closer to ending the war. He claimed divisions exist among people around Putin, with some favoring continuation of the conflict while others want it to end because of mounting economic pressure.
"If Western countries — Europe, Canada, and the U.S. — don’t lift their sanctions, put more pressure on the Russian shadow fleet and other sectors, and Ukraine stays strong on the battlefield, then we will be closer to peace," Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian president also pointed to agreements reached with the UK, France, and Germany on strengthening sanctions and expanding support for air defense capabilities. Zelenskyy asserted that the countries would help Ukraine develop anti-ballistic defenses and expressed hope that Kyiv and London could jointly build a broader European anti-ballistic missile system.
Zelenskyy also called for additional support from allies as Ukraine moves ahead with a sweeping military reform aimed at shifting the armed forces toward a contract-based system.
The overhaul includes higher salaries, new combat contracts, clearer service terms, and plans for phased demobilization of long-serving troops, measures Ukrainian officials say are necessary to improve recruitment and retention after years of war.
The appeal comes as Ukraine's partners continue to line up major assistance packages. Countries participating in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group have already pledged nearly $38 billion in military support for 2026, including funding for air defense, drones, ammunition, training, and other defense needs. Much of that support has been committed, although portions still await delivery and implementation.
"It's dangerous to be a soldier and we need to give them respectable salaries because they are giving their lives. We need additional funding for this," Zelenskyy argued. "Currently, it's nowhere near what Russia pays its mercenaries. I do hope that our friends will help."
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