Zelensky reveals one condition to give up territory as war intensifies

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been adamant that his country would not trade any territory in exchange for peace with Russia and Vladimir Putin, but recent remarks might be a sign that this blanket policy has changed. 

Zelensky said that territorial concessions could be possible, but only if they were backed by a referendum. However, his remarks made it clear that this was not a likely possibility according to what he told several media outlets.

During an interview with reporters from the Le Monde, AFP, and L'Equipe published July 31st, Zelensky explained that a referendum on territorial concessions was not the “best option” since they were still dealing with Putin. 

“We are dealing with Putin and it will be a victory for him if he takes part of our territory,” the Ukrainian President explained according to Newsweek. Zelensky added that giving up Ukrainian territory wouldn’t be easy anyway. 

Zelensky explained Ukraine could never give up its territories because that would be an “attack on the Constitution” and added that any such move would be a "very, very difficult question… It goes against the Constitution of Ukraine.”

“Those in power have no official right to give up their territories,” the Ukrainian President said before adding that the Ukrainian people would have to “want it.” The remarks made it appear as if territorial concessions to Russia could be a possibility. 

Newsweek reported that Zelensky did not rule out the possibility of a future referendum on territorial concessions, a move analyst and former Ukrainian soldier Viktor Kovalenko said marked a “significant shift in policy” that could hurt Zelensky.

Kovalenko noted any territorial referendum would necessitate a ceasefire with Moscow, and added the occupied territories would not be able to participate. “It remains uncertain whether the Kremlin is prepared to halt attacks and bombardments at this stage," Kovalenko said. 

Even if a referendum on the issue did move forward in Ukraine, it's unlikely that citizens of the embattled nation would choose to give up territory in order to secure peace with Moscow based on recent polling data.

On August 1st, the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology found that 59% of Ukrainians supported negotiations but that 60% of people were unwilling to cede Crimea or parts of eastern Ukraine in exchange for peace, the New Voice of Ukraine reported.  

The Kyiv International Institute of Sociology also found that 77% of Ukrainians believed negotiations based on the current territorial status quo were unacceptable, a clear sign any referendum may only strengthen the country’s resolve to defend its land. 

On June 18th, Zelensky said Ukraine was preparing a “clear and detailed” plan to bring an end to the war based on the outcome of its summer peace summit in Switzerland. The country’s leaders are hoping to hold a second summit before the end of 2024. 

During his interview with French media, Zelensky said Russian representatives should attend the second peace summit to present their plan for peace with Ukraine based on the Ukrainian President’s 10-point peace plan according to Newsweek.

Zelensky’s 10-point peace plan was first announced in November 2022 and includes a provision that would see all Russian troops withdrawn from Ukraine territory, a point the Kremlin isn’t likely to accept at this point in the conflict. 

Prior to Ukraine’s peace summit in Switzerland, Putin put forward a condition for peace for Moscow that stipulated Ukrainian forces would have to leave the four territories that Russia annexed in 2022. Moscow only partially occupies those territories at this time. 

However, despite the rhetoric, Newsweek’s Brendan Cole reported that “the idea of negotiations between both sides continues to gain momentum.” But whether or not the world will see the resumption of peace negotiations has yet to be seen. 

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