**Ukrainian Lawmakers Dismayed by Kyiv Mayor’s Comments on Giving Up Territory to Russia**
Comments from Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko that Ukraine may be forced to temporarily give up some territories to Russia have sparked outrage among Ukrainian lawmakers. In an interview with the BBC, Klitschko suggested that giving up territory could be a solution for peace, but this idea has been met with strong opposition from lawmakers who spoke to The Kyiv Independent.
“We will never accept occupation by Russia,” said Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, a lawmaker from the Holos party and chairman of the parliamentary committee on freedom of speech. “No politician in Ukraine is authorized to change Ukraine’s borders – this is the sovereign right of the Ukrainian people alone.”
Yurchyshyn believes that Klitschko’s comments were misguided and could be seen as playing into Russia’s hands, showing that pressure works and some concessions are possible. He also expressed concern that such a proposal would render the sacrifices made by those who have given their lives in the war meaningless.
Oleksandr Merezhko, chair of the parliament’s foreign affairs committee, also disagreed with Klitschko’s statement. “The truth is, that Ukraine will never agree to any territorial concessions,” he said. “Ukraine will always retain its sovereignty over temporarily occupied territories.”
Merezhko suggested that the comments were not widely shared among other Ukrainian lawmakers and were seen as a departure from the country’s strong stance on preserving its territory.
**Klitschko Clarifies His Comments**
Later in the day, Klitschko clarified his comments in a post on Telegram. He stated that he was merely suggesting that Ukraine could be forced to make territorial concessions in exchange for ending the war and that this scenario was possible given the current situation.
However, Inna Sovsun, a Ukrainian lawmaker from the Holos political party, expressed skepticism about the consequences of making territorial concessions to Russia in any form as part of any peace deal. She likened it to offering an arm to a tiger and being surprised when it takes the whole body.
**Background on Territorial Concessions**
The issue of territorial concessions has been at the forefront of the news this week following reports that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump was considering giving de jure recognition of Russia’s control over occupied Crimea as part of a peace proposal.
A copy of the peace proposal shows the diverging viewpoints of the U.S. on one side and Ukraine and its European allies on the other as they seek to end Russia’s full-scale invasion.
While the document includes “robust security guarantees” from Washington, it also makes clear that any talks on territorial concessions would be contingent upon a full and unconditional ceasefire in all areas. However, lawmakers remain unconvinced by Klitschko’s comments and continue to stress Ukraine’s resolve in preserving its sovereignty over all its territories.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
