Occupied Territories Belong to Ukraine, Not Russia – Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reaffirmed that Ukraine will never recognise the occupied territories as Russian. Speaking with journalists, he stated that Ukraine’s position on the matter was made clear during a meeting in Jeddah, where the United States was informed of Kyiv’s firm stance.

Zelenskyy emphasised that Russia is trying to force Ukraine into negotiations that include territorial concessions, but Ukraine will not accept any discussion that recognises Russian occupation. He acknowledged that territorial disputes are complex and cannot be linked to the first step in any negotiation process. Instead, he called for clear red lines to be set from the beginning. He noted that while American and Russian representatives may discuss such topics, Ukraine’s position remains unchanged.

The President also clarified that no additional conditions were agreed upon at the Jeddah meeting. He described the gathering as an important step, highlighting that Ukraine and the United States stood united in their approach. He expressed hope that diplomatic efforts would continue but reaffirmed that any peace process must start with Russia taking the first step.

Zelenskyy rejected suggestions that Ukraine should continuously remind the world of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unwillingness to negotiate, stating that this fact is already well known. Instead, he urged the United States to exert pressure on Putin to make the first move toward peace, after which further discussions could take place.

The President previously stated that if Russia refuses a proposed thirty day ceasefire, it would not only be rejecting Ukraine but also the position of US President Donald Trump.