Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told former U.S. president Donald Trump and several European leaders during a 16 August phone call that Kyiv will not surrender the parts of the Donetsk region still under Ukrainian control as part of any peace agreement, according to Reuters. Zelenskyy’s position reaffirms Ukraine’s refusal to cede territory seized by Russia since 2014 and signals limited room for compromise ahead of potential in-person discussions that could take place in Washington. Financial Times reported that while Zelenskyy remains willing to discuss territorial issues, he views Donbas as non-negotiable. The comments come as international mediators explore options to end more than a decade of conflict in eastern Ukraine. Kyiv’s stance underscores continuing divisions over sovereignty and security guarantees, issues that have stalled previous cease-fire efforts.