Offering Putin concessions' suicidal' for Europe: Zelensky

Kyiv: Offering Russia concessions to stop its invasion of Ukraine is "suicidal" for Europe, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday. Zelensky made the statement after Moscow demanded Ukraine to cede swathes of their territory as a precondition to peace talks, Agence France-Presse reported.

Following the victory of Donald Trump in the US, Kyiv is pressured to collect maximum support from allies in its fight against Moscow. Trump, a Republican, has been repeatedly criticizing the Biden administration for its aid to Ukraine, and he had boasted that he would end the conflict within hours of taking office.

Kyiv has completely ruled out ceding their land to Russia in exchange for peace. Ukraine, along with most in the West, believes that any settlement with Putin that rewards him would embolden the Kremlin, which will lead to more aggression.

While speaking at a summit of European leaders, Zelensky fired at those who suggested he give in to some of Putin's demands. He said that there has been much talk about the need to yield to Putin, to back down, and to make some concessions, but all are unacceptable for Ukraine. It is suicidal for all of Europe, he said.

He blasted certain European leaders for pressuring him to give in and move for a compromise. He said that what Ukraine need is sufficient weapons instead of support in talks. He added that hugs with Putin won't help, pointing out that some of the European leaders have been "hugging him for 20 years", but things were getting worse only.