Brussels-Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed US President Donald Trump’s call for a peace deal with Russia, saying a ceasefire must come first before discussing any settlement.

Speaking alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday, Zelensky said Moscow has made “many demands” and stressed that Kyiv cannot negotiate “under pressure of weapons.” He also ruled out any territorial concessions, noting that Ukraine’s constitution forbids trading land.

Trump earlier voiced frustration with Zelensky for using constitutional limits as a reason to avoid compromises, remarking that while Kyiv had authority to wage war, it still claimed to need approval for a land swap.

Von der Leyen, who will join Zelensky in Washington for talks with Trump, repeated her call for Ukraine to become a “steel porcupine” resistant to invasion. She pledged continued EU support to boost Ukraine’s defense industry, particularly in drone production.

Russia, however, has rejected Ukraine’s ceasefire demand, arguing Kyiv would use the pause to regroup and rearm.