'It is important we support the principle that borders can't be changed by force'

Volodymyr Zelensky urged European allies to support Ukraine as it negotiates a peace plan, drawn up by US president Donald Trump, that initially favoured Vladimir Putin in its proposals to end the war, right

- BY GILES SHELDRICK Chief Reporter

VOLODYMYR Zelensky launched a venomous salvo at Vladimir Putin yesterday after it was claimed that occupied territory could be handed to Russia as part of a peace deal.

As US and European negotiators pored over the details of a potential breakthrough, the Ukrainian president insisted: “Borders cannot be changed by force.”

He reacted furiously after it was suggested that a condition for an end to the near four-year conflict would mean territorial surrender.

US president Donald Trump is trying to thrash out a deal but Kyiv believes it caves in to Moscow.

Mr Trump's 28-point plan called on Ukraine to cede more land, cut its military strength to 600,000, and abandon long-held dreams of joining the Nato military alliance.

European counter-proposals halt fighting at the current frontlines, leaving discussions over territory gains for a later stage.

But they also include a Nato-style security guarantee, capping Ukraine’s army at 800,000 in peacetime and allowing Russia back into the G8.

Crucially though, it would reaffirm Ukrainian sovereignty.

However, the Kremlin said the European counter-proposal was “completely unconstructive” and did not work for Moscow.

In contrast, Yuri Ushakov, a Kremlin foreign policy aide, said many provisions of the US plan “seem quite acceptable to us”.

TENSION

However, during a speech to the Swedish parliament, Mr Zelensky hit back: “It is important to support Ukraine now.

“It is important to support the negotiation process and I am grateful for every piece of advice and information we receive from European leaders. It is crucial to support the principles on which Europe stands — that borders cannot be changed by force, that war criminals must not escape justice and that the aggressor must pay fully for the war he started.”