Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his top aide, Andriy Yermak, reiterated Ukraine’s unwavering position on sovereignty and territorial integrity on Wednesday, following renewed diplomatic discussions involving U.S. officials and European partners.

Yermak, Head of the Presidential Office, stated after talks with U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg that Ukraine will 'stand firm' during any peace negotiations. “An immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire must be the first step toward initiating negotiations aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace,” Yermak said on X. He added, “Under any circumstances, Ukraine will stand firm on its core principles during negotiations, as they are the foundation of our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Earlier in the day, President Donald Trump criticized Zelensky’s refusal to legally recognize Crimea as Russian territory, calling the remarks “very harmful” to ongoing peace efforts. Trump claimed such statements could jeopardize progress in negotiations with Moscow.

In response, Zelensky posted on X, reiterating hope that the United States will continue to honor its past position of not recognizing Russia’s claim over Crimea. Referring to a 2018 statement from then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Zelensky highlighted the longstanding U.S. commitment to Ukrainian territorial integrity. “Ukraine will always act in accordance with its Constitution and we are absolutely sure that our partners, in particular the USA, will act in line with its strong decisions,” he stated.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later clarified that President Trump is not asking Ukraine to recognize Crimea as part of Russia. However, she also noted that the U.S. administration believes Zelensky is “moving in the wrong direction” regarding peace talks.

The statements come amid a new push for diplomatic solutions, with five nations, including the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, and Ukraine, engaging in high-level talks aimed at ending the war. Despite tensions over negotiation tactics, both Washington and Kyiv expressed a shared desire for a resolution, rooted in sovereignty and security.