It will be difficult for Ukraine to return the parts of the country occupied by Russia, including the Crimean peninsula, by force. Therefore, Kyiv is considering returning these territories through diplomatic means after Ukraine's membership in NATO becomes certain.
This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview for the Japanese agency Kyodo News.
Return of territories through diplomacy
In connection with Russia's gradual advance in eastern Ukraine, Zelensky called on NATO to invite Kyiv to negotiations on membership in the transatlantic military bloc as soon as possible.
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— Our army does not have enough strength for this. It is true. We must find diplomatic solutions, he said.
At the same time, Zelensky noted that such a step can only be considered when “we know that we are strong enough” so that Russia cannot attack Ukraine again.
According to the president, the war has now entered a difficult period.
Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Japan, the United States, South Korea and a number of other countries for sanctions against the Russian Federation and assistance to Ukraine. However, he noted that more assistance is needed to strengthen our defense.
Donald Trump's Position on the War in Ukraine
US President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that the war in Ukraine would never have happened if he were president. And during the presidential campaign, he assured that if he won the election, he would be able to stop the war in one day. Trump did not specify how exactly he was going to do this.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that Trump and his team know Kyiv's position — there will be no capitulation of Ukraine and we must be in a strong position to begin peace negotiations.
— They (Trump's team, – Ed.) are studying this plan, and we will hear from them again. But there will be no capitulation on the part of Ukraine. This is a fact, and I think he understands this, – Zelensky emphasized.
