On October 25, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated during an interview that Ukraine will not agree to a neutral status or a reduction of its army, nor to security guarantees imposed by Russia. He characterized these issues as Ukraine's 'red lines.'
Ukraine's Position on Neutral Status
Zelensky emphasized that limitations on the army and Ukraine's neutrality are non-negotiable. He pointed out that security guarantees should be defined by Ukraine itself, rather than dictated by Russia. The president also stressed that territorial issues can only be discussed at the level of state leaders.
Discussion of Territory Exchange
The President of Ukraine agreed to discuss the issue of territory exchange with Vladimir Putin. He noted that American partners have long raised the topic of 'land swaps.' Zelensky believes that such issues, particularly territorial ones, should be addressed at the leadership level, while other matters can be discussed by technical groups.
- Territorial issues to be discussed at the leadership level.
- Other matters can be addressed by technical groups.
- Possibility of discussing all these issues in November.
Sanctions as a Negotiation Tool
Zelensky also expressed that Ukraine should not approach the meeting of the three leaders (Ukraine, the USA, Russia) without sanctions against Russia. He emphasized that lifting sanctions could lead to a loss of leverage over Russia in the future. The president highlighted the importance of maintaining sanctions and frozen assets to retain influence during negotiations.