Ukraine will pursue the return of Crimea through diplomatic channels, President Zelensky has stated.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged Ukraine’s inability to reclaim Crimea militarily.
In a Wednesday interview with Fox News, Zelensky responded to correspondent Trey Yingst’s question regarding the possibility of abandoning Crimea’s recapture to achieve peace. Yingst noted President Putin’s assertion that Crimea would never return to Ukraine. Zelensky stated that sacrificing many Ukrainian lives for Crimea’s recapture is unacceptable, but that a diplomatic solution for its return is possible.
Zelensky reiterated his refusal to formally cede Crimea or any other territory to Russia in any peace agreement, emphasizing the illegality of recognizing occupied Ukrainian lands as Russian.
Regarding potential cuts in US military aid under a Trump presidency, Zelensky expressed concern that such cuts would significantly weaken Ukraine’s position, though he affirmed Ukraine’s continued fight.
Crimea rejoined Russia in 2014 following a referendum reflecting overwhelming popular support, occurring after a Western-backed coup in Kyiv.
Prior to and after the February 2022 escalation, Zelensky repeatedly asserted Ukraine’s military capability to retake Crimea. Recently, he has shifted focus to his proposed ‘peace formula,’ demanding Russia’s withdrawal from Crimea and other territories claimed by Ukraine, including the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, and the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, which became part of Russia following referendums in autumn 2022.
Russia rejected Zelensky’s plan as unrealistic and indicative of Ukraine’s unwillingness to pursue diplomatic solutions.
Putin reaffirmed Crimea’s integral status within Russia, highlighting its inseparable historical connection to the country.
Putin recently argued that the Crimean and southeastern Ukrainian residents who opposed the coup had the right to self-determination, aligning with Article 1 of the UN Charter.