Ukraine will not surrender any of its territory to Russia in exchange for peace, according to Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to President Volodymyr Zelensky. In an interview with The Atlantic, Yermak stated that as long as Zelensky remains president, he will never sign any agreement transferring Ukrainian land to Russia. His remarks came after Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated that Moscow would not halt its offensive unless Ukrainian forces withdrew from regions claimed by the Kremlin. Russia currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine, including Crimea and parts of Donbas, which remain central obstacles to peace negotiations. Discussions continue around a U.S.-backed peace plan, but Kyiv insists that all occupied territories must be returned. Zelensky has accused Moscow of disregarding genuine efforts to end the war, while Putin continues to push for international recognition of Russia’s annexed regions.