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Zelensky Presses Trump for Continued U.S. Backing While Rejecting Territorial Concessions

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Zelensky Calls on Trump on Invasion Anniversary On Feb 23 2026, President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed reporters at Kyiv’s Presidential Palace on the eve of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full‑scale invasion, declaring that the United States “is far too big and too important to walk away” from the war and urging President Donald Trump to keep Ukraine firmly on his agenda [1]. He said he does not believe Trump is applying enough pressure on President Vladimir Putin, questioning the adequacy of current U.S. leverage [1]. Zelensky also recalled Trump’s recent “dictator” label for him and his suggestion that Ukraine hold elections, noting he does not know whether the U.S. president wants a different Ukrainian leader [1].

Zelensky Sets Non‑Negotiable Peace Terms Zelensky reiterated that Kyiv will freeze the front lines at today’s contact line, retain control of the Donetsk region and refuse any cession of undisputed Donbas territory, which would be rejected in a national referendum [1][3]. He offered limited territorial concessions only if Russia pulls back an equivalent distance and agrees to a bilateral meeting with President Putin, while insisting any peace document include congressional‑ratified security guarantees [1]. The president criticized Trump’s public urging from Air Force One for Ukraine to “come to the table fast,” calling the pressure “not fair” and distinct from the approach of U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner [3].

Geneva Talks End as Russia Prepares Reserve Mobilization The Geneva peace talks concluded on Feb 18 2026 after a two‑hour session with U.S., Ukrainian and Russian delegations, during which Russia replaced its GRU admiral with Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky, a move Zelensky warned could buy Moscow time [2]. Russia announced limited rolling reserve call‑ups to offset battlefield losses that outpaced recruitment, reporting roughly 9,000 more casualties than replacements in January 2026 [2]. The Russian embassy in Belgium reiterated pre‑war demands for a treaty that legally bars NATO expansion, extending the conflict’s diplomatic scope beyond territorial issues [2].

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Timeline

1994 – Ukraine signs the Budapest Memorandum, giving up its nuclear arsenal in exchange for security assurances from the United States, United Kingdom and Russia, a pledge later questioned after Russia’s actions [25].

2009 – The United States, Russia and other signatories reaffirm the Budapest assurances, stating they remain in effect and reinforcing the non‑binding security framework [25].

2014 – Russia annexes Crimea, violating the Budapest Memorandum and reshaping Kyiv’s security calculus and its demand for stronger guarantees [25].

Feb 2022 – At the Munich Security Conference, President Zelensky warns that the Budapest guarantees have failed and urges the international community to provide robust security commitments [25].

Nov 29, 2025 – The United States drafts a security plan that would make Russia a co‑arbiter of Ukraine’s post‑war security, proposing a joint American‑Russian working group and risking de‑facto Russian control of contested areas [25].

Dec 1, 2025 – Delegations from Washington and Kyiv meet in a private club in South Florida after a Geneva round, refining a 28‑point U.S. peace proposal, debating a compromise that bars Ukraine from NATO without a bilateral U.S.–Russia deal, and noting Moscow’s maximalist demands [24].

Dec 8, 2025 – President Zelensky publicly rejects any territorial concession, saying “I have not agreed to any peace deal that would cede Ukrainian territory to Russia,” while Trump publishes an opinion piece mocking European leaders; the Kremlin welcomes the U.S. strategy [22][23].

Dec 9, 2025 – Zelensky tells reporters via WhatsApp that Ukraine will not surrender land, emphasizing constitutional and international‑law prohibitions, and notes the U.S. peace plan has been trimmed to 20 points from 28 [26].

Dec 10, 2025 – Kyiv prepares to hand revised peace proposals to U.S. negotiators, outlines a post‑war reconstruction roadmap, and hints that a national election could occur within 60‑90 days if security guarantees are secured [21].

Dec 11, 2025 – Zelensky convenes a video conference with about 30 allied nations, including Germany, Britain and France, to coordinate a “fair” settlement and to counter Trump’s pressure on Kyiv [20].

Dec 14, 2025 – Zelensky proposes dropping Ukraine’s NATO‑membership bid in exchange for legally binding security guarantees, meets U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Berlin, and rejects a U.S. suggestion to withdraw from Donetsk without reciprocal Russian pull‑back [18].

Dec 15, 2025 – The United States announces “platinum‑standard” NATO‑style guarantees for Ukraine, while U.S. officials stall on a Donbas free‑zone that would require Ukrainian withdrawals without Russian concessions [17].

Dec 22, 2025 – After Florida talks, Zelensky calls the 20‑point framework “solid,” notes that the peacetime army will stay at 800,000, and says security‑guarantee documents remain under debate [16].

Dec 25, 2025 – Zelensky unveils a 20‑point peace plan that includes a demilitarized zone in Donbas, NATO‑style guarantees, a joint U.S.–Ukraine enterprise to run the Zaporizhzhia plant, and a Trump‑led Peace Council to monitor a full ceasefire [15].

Dec 26, 2025 – Zelensky announces he will meet Trump at Mar‑a‑Lago on Sunday, says the 20‑point plan is about 90 % ready, proposes a referendum on any border changes, and notes that Trump’s aides Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner stand ready to visit Kyiv [14][13][12][11].

Dec 27, 2025 – Zelensky updates after fresh Kyiv strikes, reiterates that security guarantees must come from the world’s strongest powers, outlines a 2040 prosperity roadmap costing $700‑$800 billion, and warns a nationwide referendum may be required for any border concession [11][5].

Dec 28, 2025 – Trump hosts Zelensky at Mar‑a‑Lago, calls the meeting “excellent,” says peace is closer, discusses Donbas and a 15‑year U.S. security guarantee, and hints at a January gathering of European leaders at the White House or another venue [10][28].

Dec 29, 2025 – Trump declares that security guarantees are “close to 95 %” and that the peace agreement is “about 90 % complete,” while Zelensky says the United States offered a 15‑year guarantee and that a White House meeting in January could follow [2][8][9][3].

Dec 30, 2025 – Russia, the United States and Ukraine say peace talks edge toward a final stage, but thorny issues over Donbas territory, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and NATO‑style guarantees threaten to derail any deal; Zelensky plans to meet European leaders in France on Jan 6 2026 [1].

Jan 3, 2026 – European security advisers converge in Kyiv, review an $800 billion economic package, and prepare to move negotiations to European capitals, with Paris meetings slated for early January [27].

Early Jan 2026 – European leaders schedule a Paris summit to finalize concrete contributions to the 15‑year security guarantees promised to Ukraine [8].

Feb 14, 2026 – Zelensky offers a compromise that couples a two‑month ceasefire with elections, demands security guarantees before any territorial concession, and warns Ukraine would otherwise surrender land without protection [30].

Feb 16, 2026 – The U.S.–brokered Geneva talks focus on a territorial stalemate; Russia sends a delegation led by Vladimir Medinsky, Ukraine’s team travels by train, and the U.S. proposes a limited Ukrainian withdrawal and a 15‑year guarantee [7].

Feb 17, 2026 – In a phone interview, Zelensky accuses Trump of “undue pressure” on Ukraine to make concessions, warns a referendum would reject any cession of undisputed Donbas land, and proposes freezing front lines at the current contact line [6].

Feb 18, 2026 – Geneva negotiations conclude with the U.S. urging restraint on long‑range strikes; Russia swaps its delegation leadership, and Zelensky offers troop withdrawals contingent on equal Russian pull‑back and a bilateral meeting with President Putin [29].

Feb 19, 2026 – Russia prepares limited rolling‑reserve call‑ups, tightens information control, and faces casualty losses that outpace its recruitment capacity, underscoring the war’s deteriorating Russian warfighting ability [29].

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