Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly declared that Ukraine will never acknowledge the occupied territories as Russian, even if pressured by allies, thereby dampening hopes for a peace deal under Donald Trump’s leadership.

“No matter what anyone wants, even if all the allies in the world unite, we will never recognize the occupied territories as part of Russia. This is impossible,” Zelensky stated. “For us, they will always remain occupied territories until we liberate them.”

Trump, now in his second term as U.S. President, has repeatedly claimed he could swiftly end the war without detailing how. His Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, emphasized that ending the war would require concessions from both sides. “For a resolution, each side will have to give up something,” Rubio told CNN, leaving the ultimate decision to Ukraine and Russia.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov expressed cautious optimism, calling Trump’s administration a small window of opportunity for negotiations, contrasting it with what he described as “hopelessness” under Joe Biden. “We must evaluate the incoming administration’s capacity to negotiate,” Ryabkov remarked.

Trump’s Approach: Sanctions and Diplomacy

Trump warned that further sanctions on Russia might be imposed if President Vladimir Putin refuses to negotiate. Accusing Putin of “destroying Russia” with the prolonged conflict, Trump urged a resolution: “He has to make a deal. Russia is in big trouble, and the war has gone on far too long.”

Despite Putin’s openness to dialogue, he reiterated his insistence on an outcome favorable to Russia. “We are ready to engage with the U.S. administration to address the root causes of this crisis,” Putin said.

Ukraine’s Strategy and the Cost of War

Zelensky emphasized that dialogue would only proceed if Ukraine held a position of strength. “Putin cannot be treated as legitimate after violating international norms,” he said. Ukraine’s strategy involves occupying strategic positions, including Russian territory, to bolster leverage in negotiations.

Zelensky highlighted the urgent need to halt the war’s active phase, which has claimed over 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers’ lives. “Stopping the hot phase of the war is the first guarantee of security,” he stated.

Territorial Disputes Persist

Since Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and its subsequent occupation of parts of the Donbas region, territorial disputes have fueled tensions. The full-scale invasion in 2022 saw Russia controlling significant areas in southern and eastern Ukraine. However, Ukraine’s recent counterattacks have regained some territory, including 600 square kilometers of Russian land, further complicating the path to peace.

As the conflict enters its third year, the prospects for a resolution remain uncertain, with both sides standing firm on their positions.


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