Volodymyr Zelensky has sent an unambiguous message to Donald Trump over proposals for a peace deal. The US President is set to meet Vladimir Putin at a summit in Alaska next Friday, as he steps up efforts to bring an end to the war in Ukraine.

The White House incumbent hinted on Friday that Kyiv might have to cede some territory to seal the deal. Administration sources told CBS that Trump is planning to allow Russia to keep Crimea and the entire Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. For its part, Russia would return to Ukraine the occupied parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.

However, a furious Zelensky ruled out giving up any land to Russia in order to secure a a cessation of hostilities. Writing on his Telegram Channel, the Ukrainian President reiterated his willingness to work with Trump to secure "a lasting peace".

He said the Ukrainian people deserved peace, while emphasising that Russia must stop dragging its feet and end the war which it started.

Addressing the idea that Ukraine must cede land for peace, Zelensky continued: "The answer to the Ukrainian territorial question is already in the Constitution of Ukraine.

"No one will and cannot deviate from this. Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier. Ukraine is ready for real solutions that can bring peace. Any decisions that are against us, any decisions that are without Ukraine, are simultaneously decisions against peace."

Then in a clear warning to the US President, he added: "These are dead solutions."

New reports would appear to suggest that Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff has misunderstood key Russian demands.

The German tabloid Bild claims the Russians have no intention of withdrawing from Kherson or Zaporizhzhia.

On the contrary the Kremlin is still insisting on total control over the five Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea.

"Witkoff doesn't know what he's talking about," a Ukrainian government official told the German publication.