Russia–Ukraine War (May 21): Ukrainian Negotiator Rules Out Ceasefire or Concessions to Russia

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak gestures as he speaks to the press after first Russia and Ukraine face-to-face talks in weeks, to end the nearly five-week-old war which has killed an estimated 20,000 people, at Dolmabahce palace in Istanbul, on March 29, 2022. Yasin Akgul/AFP via Getty Images

The latest on the Russia–Ukraine crisis, May 21. Click here for updates from May 20.

Ukrainian Negotiator Rules Out Ceasefire or Concessions to Russia

Ukraine on Saturday ruled out agreeing to a ceasefire with Russia and said Kyiv would not accept any deal with Moscow that involved ceding territory.

Acknowledging that Kyiv’s stance on the war was becoming more uncompromising, presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said making concessions would backfire on Ukraine because Russia would hit back harder after any break in fighting.