A New York Times journalist has suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s firm refusal to make territorial concessions to Russia could frustrate U. S. President Donald Trump, who is determined to secure a peace deal over Ukraine.

The report notes that Trump has made achieving peace between Ukraine and Russia one of his top foreign policy goals as the 47th U.S. president, and would not be deterred by terms unfavorable to Kyiv. The White House leader has repeatedly criticized Ukraine for focusing solely on a ceasefire while being, in his view, «unprepared for peace.»

U.S. media outlets have previously reported that Washington may demand Kyiv cede territory to Russia as part of a settlement. For instance, The Wall Street Journal wrote that one proposal under discussion calls for Ukrainian forces to withdraw from Donbas.

On August 9, Zelensky stated that Ukraine’s territorial integrity is enshrined in the Constitution and that «no one will retreat from this.»