Kyiv remains steadfast in its refusal to cede any territory to Russia in exchange for peace, according to a top Ukrainian official. Andriy Yermak, Head of the Presidential Office, stated firmly that such a proposition is fundamentally unacceptable.
Yermak, also a key negotiator for Ukraine, asserted that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would never agree to sign any document relinquishing Ukrainian land. He emphasized that doing so would be a direct violation of the Ukrainian constitution. “No sane person would sign a document ceding Ukrainian territory while Zelenskyy is President,” Yermak reportedly said.
Instead, Yermak indicated that discussions could realistically focus on establishing a line of demarcation. He described a proposal previously discussed in Abu Dhabi as not conflicting with Ukraine’s interests and respecting its red lines.
Yermak’s comments come after Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that fighting would only cease if Ukraine withdraws from territories Russia claims to occupy in the Donbas region. Putin added that if Ukraine does not withdraw, Russia would achieve its objectives through military force. It remains unclear whether Putin’s statement refers solely to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, or also includes the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Regarding a potential US peace proposal, Putin noted that a final agreement has not yet been reached, although the proposal could serve as a basis for future negotiations. He acknowledged that Washington is “taking our positions into account.” Putin also mentioned a planned visit by a US delegation to Moscow in the coming week, with expectations that US envoy Steve Witkoff will discuss the proposal with Russian officials.
Early versions of the US peace proposal reportedly suggested Ukraine cede the Donetsk and Luhansk regions to Russia, a move that was widely seen in Kyiv as a form of surrender. The proposal has since been revised following consultations with Ukraine, which has consistently maintained that territorial concessions are a red line.
Since February 24, 2022, Russia has been conducting a military offensive against Ukraine, demanding that Kyiv abandon its aspirations to join military alliances.
