Zelensky says Ukraine ready to freeze front lines but rejects territorial concessions

Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine was prepared to freeze combat operations along the existing frontlines to bring a swift end to the conflict, while firmly rejecting territorial concessions.

In an interview with ABC News, Zelensky expressed willingness to reach a ceasefire deal but rejected proposals to give up 25 per cent of Ukrainian territory.

Zelensky also expressed regret over the recent decline in US military assistance, saying Ukraine had received only 24 interceptor missiles for its Patriot air defence systems from the United States over the past three months, far below its average monthly requirement of 350. He underscored the urgency of the situation, saying 30 ballistic missiles struck Kyiv on Thursday night alone.

Meanwhile, US media have reported increased pressure from Washington on Zelensky to make concessions to secure a peace agreement, with US President Donald Trump repeatedly blaming Kyiv for the lack of progress in US-brokered talks.

Trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States are scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, in the first half of November, with a focus on security arrangements for Russia and Ukraine following a peace settlement, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday.

Additionally, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported that Zelensky said Ukraine is ready to hold a trilateral meeting with the United States and Russia next month in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

The timing of the meeting at the negotiating-team level depends on the Russian side, but at the moment it is planned for the first half of November, Zelensky said in an online address to the Hudson Institute, a US think tank.

European representatives must also participate, he said.

Zelensky also stressed the need to hold the trilateral talks at the leaders' level, saying it is necessary to move from technical-level negotiations to a meeting of leaders, as key issues can only be resolved at the highest level.

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