The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said during a briefing on Wednesday that Ukraine will never recognise the occupied territories as Russian, and this is a “red line” to any negotiations.
He stated that Ukrainian soldiers have “fought for this” and “our heroes have died” to take back their territory from Russia.
President Zelensky said, “As for red lines. I, as President, and Ukrainians, as citizens of their country, will not violate their constitution but will defend our sovereignty and our independence, protecting our people and our land.
“It is very difficult for us to fight against such an enemy, and that is clear.”
Last month the Kremlin said there will be no negotiations on the five captured Ukrainian regions as they dictate what they will have to the US and the West.
The Kremlin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Crimean peninsula, Dontesk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia were annexed by Moscow in September 2022, even though they do not occupy all of these territories.
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Peskov said that as far as Vladimir Putin and Moscow is concerned these territories are now “an inseparable part” of Russia as they are now part of Russia’s constitution.
During a phone briefing Russian state Meduza media outlet reported Peskov saying, “This is undeniable and non-negotiable.”
The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also dictated on 26 February that Moscow will not allow these territories to be discussed.
The Kyiv Independent reported, Lavrov said at a press conference, “Some say: ‘Okay, let’s leave the line of contact. This is Russian, and this is Ukrainian.’ This will not happen.”
Lavrov justified Russia’s claims to these territories saying it was “will of the people,” meaning Putin’s will.
The Ukrainian leader spoke about the heroes who have been killed fighting for their territory and their independence.
He said, “Our people have fought for this, our heroes have died. There were so many wounded, so many things happened.
“That is why no one will forget about it. When I say no one will forget, that is the most important red line. We will not allow anyone to forget this crime against Ukraine.”
Zelensky then expressed he has “no trust” in Vladimir Putin with any ceasefire as so many have been violated in the past.
He said, “I have emphasized many times, none of us trusts the Russians, we’ve been through this before, but we will not play along with narratives that we do not want the war to end.
“I am very serious about this, and it is important to me to end the war. I want President Trump to see this, I want Europe and everyone to be united to pressure Russia into ending the war.
“So my response was – we are ready for the 30-day ceasefire format offered by the US side.”
He was asked what the US will do if Russia does not commit to the ceasefire, Zelensky said, “Strong steps towards the Russian side. As I understand it, we can count on strong steps. I don’t know, I don’t know the details yet, but we are talking about sanctions accordingly and strengthening Ukraine.”
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