Zelenskyy names Ukraine's red lines in peace negotiations with Russia
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
During future negotiations with Russia regarding the end of the war, Ukraine will not recognize the occupied territories as Russian and will not agree to a reduction in its army, states President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with the heads of local communities in Chernihiv region.
"For us, the priority is our strong army. Therefore, any reduction in our army by several times is a red line. Honestly, we will do everything possible to keep the army at its current size. A large army, three times bigger than it was at the start of the war. This is our most important security guarantee – a strong, modernized army, the largest army in Europe," Zelenskyy said.
He also emphasized that another red line for Ukraine is the non-recognition of temporarily occupied territories as Russian.
"Other geopolitical matters involve the non-recognition of any territories occupied by Russia as Russian. These are Ukrainian territories, in any case. This is one of our most important red lines," the president noted.
Ukraine's red lines
As previously reported by the media, Ukraine has defined a number of red lines for any peace agreement with Russia.
In particular:
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No additional territorial concessions will be made, despite Putin's desire to take control of four Ukrainian regions;
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The return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia;
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The return of thousands of civilians illegally detained by Russia who are not considered prisoners of war;
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The need for security guarantees in case Putin violates the ceasefire agreement.
Additionally, the Verkhovna Rada stated that Ukraine will not agree to territorial concessions, restrictions on defense, or a ban on joining NATO as part of a peace treaty with Russia.
