SAEDNEWS: Volodymyr Zelensky Declares Ukraine Will Never Cede Territory to Russia, Insists Peace Deal Must Respect International Borders
According to the political news service of Saed News, citing The Washington Post, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has once again emphasized that Kyiv will not accept any peace agreement that requires ceding Ukrainian territory to Russia, describing the country’s territorial sovereignty as non-negotiable. This stance comes amid ongoing international consultations and proposals aimed at ending the war and restoring stability.
In a recent meeting with senior advisors and foreign ambassadors based in Kyiv, Zelensky stressed continued resistance against any “territorial compromise.” He noted that accepting Russian occupation and control of occupied areas would not only jeopardize Ukraine’s national security but also set a dangerous precedent for undermining international principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity worldwide.
Ukrainian officials maintain that proposals involving the transfer of control over regions such as Crimea or parts of eastern Donbas conflict with international law and Ukraine’s national interests. They argue that accepting such terms would legitimize the occupiers and violate the rights of the Ukrainian people.
Meanwhile, international diplomacy aimed at ending the war and rebuilding Ukraine remains active. Western allies are calling for new negotiations, security guarantees, international assurances, and the safe return of displaced citizens. However, Kyiv officials stress that these discussions can only proceed based on internationally recognized borders—not on altered territorial maps.
Analysts suggest that Zelensky’s firm position serves both domestic and international audiences: inside Ukraine, where any territorial concession is strongly opposed, and globally, where upholding national sovereignty and international law is a priority. Zelensky has repeatedly warned that accepting such conditions would create a dangerous precedent for other nations, potentially exacerbating crises and encouraging separatism.
Russia has occupied large areas of eastern and southern Ukraine for years, seeking recognition of its “new territories,” but Kyiv has refused to yield. Moscow and its supporters have accused Kyiv and its international allies of ignoring the “new realities” on the ground.
As winter approaches and battles intensify across multiple frontlines, concerns about the continuation of the war and the entrenchment of the crisis are growing. Nevertheless, the Ukrainian government affirms that its ultimate goal remains the full recovery of the country’s territory and the achievement of a comprehensive and just peace for its people.
