Zelensky Admits Ukraine Lacks Strength to Reclaim Lost Territories, Signals Willingness for Talks with Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has admitted that his country is not in a position to reclaim territories lost to Russia during the ongoing war.

In an interview with French media outlet Le Parisien, Zelenskyy acknowledged Ukraine’s inability to regain Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, or the eastern territories captured since 2022.

This admission has sparked speculation among analysts that Zelenskyy may be preparing to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Some see it as an indication of Ukraine’s potential acknowledgment of defeat in the war, with concerns that Zelenskyy’s leadership is facing growing challenges.

Zelenskyy emphasized that under Ukraine’s constitution, no leader can surrender national territory to a foreign power. Yet, he underscored the necessity of engaging Putin in dialogue to prevent further losses and safeguard Ukraine’s remaining territories.

Zelensky has called for support from Western allies, including the United States, to facilitate such negotiations.

However, Ukrainian president expressed doubts about Putin’s willingness to compromise, given Russia’s current upper hand in the conflict.

Zelensky fears that any peace talks could heavily favor Moscow, putting Ukraine’s sovereignty at risk.

Zelensky’s comments come as Ukraine faces setbacks on the battlefield, losing ground to Russian forces. The strain is compounded by signals from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has warned of reduced military aid to Ukraine.

Such developments have left Kyiv searching for a way to end the war while minimizing damage to its sovereignty.

Russia’s state media has reacted strongly to the assassination of senior Russian military official Igor Kirillov blaming Ukraine for the attack.

The incident has escalated tensions with some Russian commentators claiming that Zelensky’s actions have effectively signed his own “death warrant.”

The assassination of Kirillov marks a significant escalation, as he is the highest-ranking Russian military official killed in the conflict. Moscow has vowed severe retaliation, raising the stakes for Zelensky and his administration.

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Analysts note that the war is reaching a critical juncture. While Zelensky is striving to secure Western support for a favorable peace proposal Russia’s dominance on the battlefield and its growing domestic aggression leave little room for optimism.