In a significant statement, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko revealed on Friday that Ukraine might have to consider ceding territory to Russia as part of a potential peace agreement. This admission comes amidst ongoing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who is advocating for a resolution to the conflict.
The former heavyweight boxing champion, now a prominent political figure in Ukraine, expressed his thoughts following a devastating Russian missile strike that resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals and left over 80 others injured in the capital. Klitschko, one of the most influential voices in Ukrainian politics, conveyed the gravity of the situation by stating,
“One of the scenarios is … to give up territory. It’s not fair. But for the peace, temporary peace, maybe it can be a solution, temporary.”
A painful prospect for Ukraine
Despite acknowledging the possibility of a painful compromise, Klitschko emphasized that the Ukrainian populace would never accept a long-term occupation by Moscow. His remarks shed light on the complexities facing Ukraine’s leadership amid the ongoing conflict, particularly as he noted that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had not shared any discussions regarding a settlement with him, asserting, “President Zelenskyy does [it] himself. It’s not my function.”
Contrasting peace proposals
Klitschko’s comments raise concerns in light of a U.S. peace plan that appears to heavily favor Russia, including informal recognition of Russian control over Crimea, a position that is unacceptable to Ukraine. The mayor’s statements come as Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin for further discussions aimed at peace. After nearly 100 days in office, Trump has declared that he is exerting equal pressure on both Kyiv and Moscow to bring the hostilities to an end. However, Ukrainian leadership has disputed this claim. Trump stated emphatically,
“You have no idea what pressure I’m putting on Russia. We’re putting a lot of pressure on Russia.”