Zelensky reassures view on recent Russian borders
(MENAFN) Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has reiterated that Ukraine will not cede any territory to Russia, following discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Thursday.
Russia has made it clear that regions it has incorporated—Kherson, Zaporozhye, and the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics—are non-negotiable. In response, Zelensky stated, “Crimea is Ukrainian, and it always will be,” affirming that Ukraine’s position extends to all territory it claims. He added that discussing borders would violate Ukraine’s Constitution.
Crimea, with its majority ethnic Russian population, voted to join Russia in 2014 following the coup in Kiev. Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye followed suit with referendums in 2022.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently suggested in an interview that Crimea would remain with Russia, claiming Zelensky is aware of this reality. Reports indicate Trump’s peace proposal would involve freezing the conflict along current front lines and recognizing Russia’s control over Crimea.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who visited Kiev earlier this month, remarked that even Ukrainian officials acknowledge their limited ability to reclaim all territory taken by Russia since 2014.
Zelensky has admitted that Ukraine currently lacks the military capability to retake Crimea by force, and is instead relying on sanctions and international pressure to keep the issue on the diplomatic agenda.
Despite initially rejecting talks unless Moscow agreed to a 30-day ceasefire, Zelensky has since agreed to send a delegation to Türkiye for renewed peace negotiations, influenced by encouragement from Trump. The Kremlin, however, remains skeptical of any ceasefire, suggesting Ukraine could use it to regroup and continue mobilizing.
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