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Ukrainian Officials Reject Trump’s Crimea Proposal
A recent peace proposal from the Trump administration, which suggests acknowledging Russian control over Crimea, has taken Ukrainian officials by surprise. They have made it clear that any formal acceptance of surrendering the peninsula is unacceptable, even as they anticipate making temporary concessions to the Kremlin.
Experts argue that relinquishing territory seized by Russia in 2014 is not politically or legally feasible. It would necessitate constitutional amendments and a nationwide referendum, making it effectively unapproachable given the current political climate in Ukraine. Lawmakers and the public are united in their opposition to the notion.
“It doesn’t mean anything,” emphasized Oleksandr Merezkho, a member of the legislative body representing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s party. “We will never recognize Crimea as part of Russia.”
Unlike a conditional territorial concession, a formal surrender would signify a permanent loss of Crimea, extinguishing hopes of future reclamation.
The general sentiment among Ukrainians is that some territorial concessions may be necessary to achieve peace, as military efforts to reclaim disputed land seem unviable. Recent polls illustrate a growing acceptance among citizens regarding this potential trade-off.
U.S. President Trump reiterated this stance during a recent interview, asserting, “Crimea will stay with Russia. Zelenskyy understands that, and everybody understands that it’s been with them for a long time.” Trump’s remarks highlight ongoing pressure on Ukraine to make concessions to facilitate an end to hostilities while the country remains under threat.
Historically, Crimea, a strategically significant peninsula on the Black Sea, was annexed by Russia prior to the full-scale invasion that began in 2022, following protests that led to the ousting of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.
Ukrainian Expectations and Territorial Concessions
In the context of upcoming peace negotiations, Ukrainian officials have indicated an expectation that Crimea and other occupied territories may need to be part of concessions in any possible agreement. However, Zelenskyy has consistently maintained that formally surrendering these lands represents a fundamental boundary that cannot be crossed.
Elements of Trump’s proposal would lead to formal U.S. recognition of Crimea as Russian, effectively endorsing Moscow’s claims over occupied Ukrainian territories, according to an unnamed senior European official who discussed sensitive diplomatic conversations.
Despite significant external pressure, Zelenskyy is bound by internal political realities that make any such recognition challenging. Experts suggest that he runs the risk of future legal repercussions for even considering such a proposal.
After the unsuccessful summer counteroffensive of 2023, Ukrainian forces have shifted their focus to defending remaining territory rather than seeking to regain lost lands. In exchange for territorial concessions, Ukraine is seeking substantial security assurances, ideally involving NATO membership or robust international support to deter future Russian aggression.
Zelenskyy has indicated that discussions regarding occupied territories may be lengthy and contingent on a ceasefire being established. He acknowledges that relinquishing territory remains an exceptionally complex issue, one fraught with political and emotional challenges.
Formal acknowledgment of Crimea as Russian territory could be politically disastrous for Zelenskyy, exposing him to future legal action. According to Tymofiy Mylovanov, former economics minister and president of the Kyiv School of Economics, any attempt to sign such a proposal could be construed as high treason.
With the need for any change to Ukraine’s territorial integrity requiring a national referendum, the government faces significant legal hurdles in engaging with the idea of ceding land.
Potential considerations around surrendering Crimea would trigger intensive legal debates. “Russia knows it’s impossible to achieve,” Mylovanov noted, emphasizing that such discussions provide both policy space and propaganda opportunities for Moscow.
Ukrainian soldiers, on the front lines, affirm their commitment to continue fighting regardless of political decisions made at higher levels. “We lost our best guys in this war,” said Oleksandr, a soldier in the Donetsk region. “We won’t stop until all Ukrainian lands are free.”
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globalnews.ca