International-News

Zelensky: ‘Ukraine will not give up Crimea’ and criticises Moscow’s limited ceasefire

Ukrainian president reiterates intention to take back Crimea and denounces Russia’s lack of credibility on US-proposed ceasefire agreements

Ukraine will not surrender Crimea, President Volodymyr Zelensky firmly reiterated during a meeting in Oslo. ‘Crimea is a Ukrainian peninsula,’ Zelensky said, clarifying that the issue was not discussed during his recent phone call with US President Donald Trump. The issue of territorial cessions, often speculated by the US as a possible resolution to the conflict, remains off the Ukrainian agenda.

Zelensky also commented on Russian control over Crimea, describing it as a condition leading to the ‘death’ of the region, pointing out that without Ukraine’s involvement, tourism will not return.

In talks with Trump, Ukraine’s nuclear power plants were also discussed, with Washington willing to guarantee their operation and safety, but Zelensky reiterated that ‘the plants belong to the Ukrainian people’. Despite the 30-day ceasefire proposed by the US, Ukraine continues to doubt Russia’s intentions.

Ukraine’s membership in NATO seems more and more distant. According to Zelensky, removing the issue of NATO membership from the negotiating agenda would be ‘a great gift for Putin’.

On Monday 24 March, Ukrainian and American delegations will meet in Saudi Arabia to further discuss the situation, while talks between the US and Russia will be held in Riyadh.

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