Zelensky refuses to give up territories
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has categorically rejected the possibility of withdrawing Ukrainian troops from Donbas in exchange for a peace agreement with Russia.
President's position
The Head of State stressed that Ukraine does not consider the scenario of giving up its territories as an element of negotiations.
«We cannot leave our territory. This is our real line of defence,» Zelensky said.
According to him, the territorial integrity of Ukraine remains an unchanging principle of state policy.
Why it matters
The statement came amid discussions on possible parameters for a peaceful settlement of the war. Kyiv has consistently insisted that any negotiations should be based on respect for sovereignty and international law.
Context.
The issue of territories is a key one in all international discussions on ending Russia's war against Ukraine. The Ukrainian government has repeatedly stressed that it will not accept solutions that involve the loss of sovereign land.
Ukrainian
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