Ukraine remains steadfast in its stance against ceding territory to Russia, underscoring its refusal to relinquish land that Russian forces have not managed to capture through military means. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized that Russia should not be rewarded for initiating the conflict.

In 2022, Russia declared the annexation of the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia following referenda widely condemned by Ukraine and Western nations as illegitimate. The majority of the international community continues to recognize these regions, along with Crimea, as integral parts of Ukraine.

These regions are critical to Ukraine’s defense strategy. The terrain west of Donetsk is notably flat with expansive fields, which could potentially facilitate a Russian advance should they gain control, threatening territories on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River.

Kyiv is particularly concerned that relinquishing control of Donetsk could allow Russia to regroup and eventually launch further incursions westward.

In a recent address from Kyiv, President Zelenskyy stated, “Our mission now is to gather comprehensive information about Russia’s statements and any additional reasons President Putin might have to extend the war and exert pressure on Ukraine and our sovereignty.”

Ukraine seeks ‘complete information’

“Our task now is to obtain complete information about what has been said in Russia and what other reasons Putin has found to prolong the war and to pressure Ukraine, to pressure us, our independence,” Zelenskyy said in an evening address from Kyiv.