Zelensky’s Bold Frontline Visit Just Hours After Putin's Troops Capture Town

Table of Contents

1. Zelensky's Visit to Kupyansk
2. Military Claims and Responses
3. Complex Peace Negotiations
4. Territorial Concessions and Proposals
5. Current Situation

Volodymyr Zelensky recorded a video of himself in a frontline warzone town that the Russians claimed to have taken just hours earlier.

The Ukrainian president was filmed in Kupyansk, located only a few miles from Russian positions.

Volodymyr Zelensky records a video message on his mobile phone in front of the road sign marking the entrance to KupianskCredit: AFP The selfie footage captured Zelensky in military fatigues – and disproved false claims made by Moscow Zelensky poses for a photo with Ukrainian soldiers in Kupiansk, Kharkiv region, amid the ongoing Russian invasion of UkraineCredit: AFP

The video footage showcased Zelensky in military attire, challenging the false assertions from Moscow.

This video was released shortly after a Russian general informed Vladimir Putin that their forces had taken control of the strategic city of Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region.

Zelensky stated in the video: “Today’s destination is Kupyansk. Our soldiers are achieving significant results for Ukraine.

“I extend my gratitude to every unit, to everyone fighting here, and to everyone who is combating the occupier.”

The Kremlin announced on Thursday that Putin had visited the command post of the Russian forces “West” grouping, where he met with the chief of Russia’s general staff, Valery Gerasimov, and other military leaders.

Gerasimov informed Putin that Russian forces had secured control of the Ukrainian city of Kupiansk, as well as over 80% of Vovchansk.

Putin was also briefed on the situations in Kostiantynivka and Kramatorsk in Ukraine’s Donetsk region.

Pro-Ukrainian Telegram channels praised Zelensky, noting that he “fearlessly visits the very frontline in Kupyansk.”

Meanwhile, diplomats from Ukraine, Europe, the US, and Russia have been engaged in intricate negotiations for months to bring an end to the brutal war in Ukraine.

They have been exchanging proposals and counter-proposals in an effort to reach a consensus.

However, progress has stalled over one critical issue: land concessions.

Russia has long insisted that Ukraine surrender the entire Donbas region in exchange for peace – and this decision could potentially be made by the people through a referendum.

Zelensky has consistently stated that he has no “constitutional” or “moral” authority to relinquish Ukrainian territory. He mentioned yesterday that Ukrainians should have the final say.

A significant divide remains between the Ukrainian and Russian positions on this matter, making peace seem elusive.

A fire at the site of an air attack in the Kyiv regionCredit: AFP Emergency responders work at the site of a warehouse that was struck during a night of Russian missile and drone attacksCredit: Reuters

Zelensky highlighted that the status of the eastern Donetsk region and future control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant are the two main points of contention in the peace discussions.

Additionally, the US continues to pressure Kyiv to make significant territorial concessions to Russia in order to end the conflict.

Speaking to reporters, he noted that Washington wants Ukraine to withdraw its troops from certain areas of the Donetsk region, where a demilitarized buffer would be established between the two armies.

The weary Ukrainian president revealed that his officials have already responded to the latest US peace proposal – and outlined some of the new suggestions from the Americans.

He mentioned that the US had proposed the establishment of a “free economic zone” that would require both Ukraine and Russia to steer clear of contested areas near the frontline in the east.