Ukraine and Europe counter Russian ceasefire proposal that suggests giving up territory

Ukraine “will not give Russia any rewards for what it has done” and “Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday.

US President Donald Trump earlier suggested a peace deal could include “some swapping of territories.”

On Sunday, EU leaders released a statement including President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni, Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Tusk, Prime Minister Starmer, President von der Leyen and President Stubb reiterating that "The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine."

The statement also says that "international borders must not be changed by force." adding that the current frontline should be "the starting point of negotiations."

A Russian ceasefire proposal has suggested to trade the Ukrainian territories of Donetsk and Luhansk for a full ceasefire.

Citing two European officials familiar with the matter, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that Ukrainian and European officials have responded to Russia's ceasefire proposal with a counterproposal.

The proposal, presented to US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg and Steve Witkoff, reiterates Ukraine and Europe should be involved in any negotiations held with Russia, while also demanding a ceasefire be implemented before further steps are taken.

It was put forward in a meeting with top US officials in the UK on Saturday, according to the officials.

It comes after Trump said Friday that he would meet with Vladimir Putin even if the Russian leader would not meet with Zelenskyy. The Trump-Putin meeting, scheduled for next Friday in Alaska, is seen as a potential breakthrough in the more than three-year war.

Zelenskyy dismissed the planned summit, warning that any negotiations to end the war in Ukraine must include Kyiv.

“Any decisions that are without Ukraine are at the same time decisions against peace. They will not bring anything. These are dead decisions. They will never work,” he said.

In a statement posted to Telegram, Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s territorial integrity, enshrined in the constitution, must be non-negotiable, and emphasised that lasting peace must include Ukraine’s voice at the table.

European leaders came to Zelenskyy's side with statements posted on social media.

French President Emmanuel Macron said "Ukraine’s future cannot be decided without the Ukrainians" in a post on X, adding that "Europeans will also necessarily be part of the solution, as their own security is at stake."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez echoed the sentiment, adding that "we must reach a just and lasting peace that respects Ukraine's independence and sovereignty."

Zelenskyy also spoke with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, thanking him for his support. "Ukraine and Finland have the longest borders with Russia in Europe, and our people know very well what threats this brings," he said in a post on X.

The war grinds on

Meanwhile, two people died and 16 were wounded when a Russian drone hit a minibus in the suburbs of the Ukrainian city of Kherson on Saturday, regional Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.

Two others died after a Russian drone struck their car in the Zaporizhzhia region, according to regional Governor Ivan Fedorov.

Russian troops also fired drones at the city of Kharkiv. One of them hit a furniture store and injured five people, Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov reported.

Among the injured was a 17-year-old girl, and three women were hospitalised, all suffering from shrapnel wounds.

Ukraine’s air force said it intercepted 16 of the 47 Russian drones launched overnight, while 31 drones hit targets across 15 different locations. It also said it shot down one of the two missiles Russia deployed.

Russia’s Defence Ministry said its air defences shot down 97 Ukrainian drones over Russia and the Black Sea overnight and 21 more Saturday morning.