By Brett MacDonald
Published August 17, 2025
Last updated 8/17/25 @ 6:18 PM
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Zelensky rejects Anchorage Summit bargains, calls for new sanctions

By Brett MacDonald · Published on August 17, 2025 · Updated: 8/17/25 @ 6:18 PM

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This story has not been updated. It appears in its original form at time of publication.

Depending on the nature of this post, partisan commentary may not be available or even necessary.

Depending on the nature of this post, partisan commentary may not be available or even necessary.

Common ground continues to evade capture at the Slavic negotiating table as Zelensky indicates unwillingness to accept proposed terms.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a statement Sunday rejecting any proposals that would result in the Republic of Ukraine relinquishing conquered territory to the Russian Federation as a requisite for peace.

“We need real negotiations, which means they can start where the front line is now. The contact line is the best line for talking,” Zelensky said. “Russia is still unsuccessful in the Donetsk region, Putin has been unable to take it for 12 years. And the Constitution of Ukraine makes it impossible to give up territory or trade land.”

The Ukrainian leader then added that any further discussions about the transfer of territory should take place on a trilateral basis and that, should Russia prove an obstacle to this, they should receive further sanctions:

“Since the territorial issue is so important, it should be discussed only by the leaders of Ukraine and Russia at the trilateral – Ukraine, United States, Russia. So far, Russia gives no sign the trilateral will happen, and if Russia refuses, then new sanctions must follow,” Zelensky said.

Speaking on Face The Nation, Secretary of State Marco Rubio had a slightly different tone and str