Ukraine has 10–15 year vision for returning occupied territories - MoD
Photo: First Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Ivan Havrylyuk (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine is working with foreign partners on a strategy for the return of territories temporarily occupied by Russia. There is a 10–to 15–year vision for achieving this, states First Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Ivan Havrylyuk during the Fourth International Forum of the International Crimea Platform Expert Network.
"Besides Ukrainians, no one will resolve any problematic issues for Ukraine. Others may support us in addressing our problems, but no one will go to the front to fight except Ukrainians," Havrylyuk said.
He noted that Ukraine needs to gain and maintain an advantage in the Black Sea. At present, even limited raids to destroy vessels are difficult to carry out, since Russia has taken countermeasures.
"Crimea has turned into an enormously powerful Russian military base. We have directions and a vision of how to return the occupied territories to Ukraine. We have a 10–15 year vision of how to move forward and where to develop," the deputy minister added.
Territory swap
Earlier, US President Donald Trump proposed a "territory swap" as a way to settle Russia’s war against Ukraine.
At the same time, he promised that Ukraine would be able to regain part of the territories currently under Russian occupation.
For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine will not agree to any territory swap with Russia, as it is prohibited by the Constitution.
Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk also stated that Ukraine cannot engage in any territory swap with Russia, even through a referendum. Any violation of territorial integrity contradicts the law.
Earlier, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak likewise stressed that Ukraine does not plan to hold a referendum on recognizing territories occupied by Russia.
According to him, Ukraine realistically acknowledges that Russia has seized part of its territory. However, there will be no referendums on recognizing this occupation.
