Ukraine Not To Recognize Occupied Areas as Russian Territories
Ukrainian FM Andrey Sibiga. X/ @ThetruthDW
May 2, 2025 Hour: 1:23 pm
FM Sibiga outlined ‘the red lines’ that his country will maintain during peace negotiations with Russia.
During a speech in parliament on Friday, Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Andrey Sibiga outlined the red lines that President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government will maintain during any potential peace negotiations with Russia.
RELATED:
Trump Signs Controversial Rare Earths Deal With Ukraine, Deepening U.S. Resource Control
Among the non-negotiable points, he emphasized that his country will never recognize the areas occupied by foreign military forces as Russian territory.
“First, we will not recognize as Russian any of the temporarily occupied territories. Second, we will not accept any restrictions on the structure, size, or other characteristics of Ukraine’s Defense Forces, or limitations on our defense industry, allied military assistance, or the presence of allied contingents on our territory,” he said.
“Third, we will not accept any restrictions on Ukraine’s sovereignty, on our domestic or foreign policy, particularly regarding our choice of unions or alliances we wish to join,” Sibiga added.
The Foreign Minister also stated that Ukraine will continue to push for its accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a prospect that currently appears to lack strong backing but which Russia will not be able to block.
He reiterated that Ukraine is not, and has never been, an obstacle to peace, while simultaneously calling for a “true and sustainable” peace.
“Ukraine clearly and consistently advocates for an unconditional and comprehensive ceasefire by land, sea, and air for at least 30 days. We are ready,” Sibiga stressed, while also underscoring that a “peace at any cost” will not be accepted.
He also said that diplomatic efforts to end the war will continue primarily within the existing frameworks of talks with the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and the United States. However, actual peace negotiations will only begin if Russia declares a ceasefire and implements humanitarian measures.
teleSUR/ JF
Source: EFE