President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi during a briefing stated, that Ukraine will not withdraw troops from its territory in accordance with Russia’s demands. Protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state is a constitutional duty of both the head of state and the Armed Forces.
In response to a journalist’s question about whether US President Donald Trump, who discussed the terms of a cease-fire with Putin, could agree to the voiced demands, Zelenskyy emphasized that this is solely a matter for Ukraine.
“The question here is not President Trump. Why? With all due respect, because this is our land, our state, our army and our independence. The question is what Ukraine can afford to do, what it cannot. No one will withdraw our troops from our territories. It is my constitutional duty, it is the duty of our military to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.” – emphasized Zelensky.
He emphasized that as a result of the aggression of the Russian Federation, part of Ukrainian territories is under temporary occupation, but Ukraine will not accept any ultimatums, and “no one will surrender their land, their territories, their people, their homes.”
“I don’t know what the principles are in the memorandum. Probably, if, well, let’s be honest. What we talked about with the leaders, and I talked about it repeatedly with President Trump and his team. If Russia sets the conditions for the withdrawal of our troops from our own land, then they do not want a ceasefire and do not want the war to end. Because they clearly understand that Ukraine will not do that.” – added the president.
