From: New Voice of Ukraine 🇺🇦
The territories will be one of the most sensitive and difficult issues in the upcoming negotiations, but Ukraine will not recognize the occupied territories as Russian,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a joint press conference with his Finnish counterpart Alexander Stubb in Helsinki on March 19.
“For us, the red line is the recognition of the Ukrainian temporarily occupied territories as Russian. We will not do this,” he said, stressing that the first step in negotiations must be an unconditional ceasefire that would lead to calm on the entire front and talks on other issues.
Zelenskyy believes that Russia is interested in prolonging the war and urged that no concessions be made that would weaken Ukraine.
“I think no one can influence the United States to help Ukraine or other countries. In my opinion, this is a personal decision of President Trump. Yes, Russia will want our partners not to help us, because it is a weakening of Ukrainian positions. Although it looks very strange, if you are not going to continue fighting us and really want peace, I mean, Putin, why should you be afraid of the Ukrainian army?”
Voice of Ukraine 