Expert outlines possible compromise with Russia: Details
In any negotiations with Russia, Ukraine might consider only a temporary ceasefire, not territorial concessions.
Donald Trump
Ukraine will not agree to surrender its territories. The only feasible compromise within potential peace talks would be a ceasefire regime, after which Kyiv would continue reclaiming its lands through other means.
This was stated by international relations expert Stanislav Zhelikhovskyi on air with 24 Kanal.
Commenting on reports in Western media about possible U.S. calls for Ukraine to make concessions to Russia, Zhelikhovskyi acknowledged that discussions about a “territorial exchange” may indeed be taking place among American politicians.
In his view, Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who has repeatedly visited Moscow, may have heard such proposals from the Kremlin.
What Putin might offer
According to the expert, Putin may demand that the Donbas be secured for Russia in exchange for “withdrawing” from certain Ukrainian territories.
However, Zhelikhovskyi stresses that regions already incorporated into Russia’s constitution—such as Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions—will not be relinquished voluntarily by the Kremlin.
“The maximum Putin might offer is the withdrawal of the Russian army, for example, from Kharkiv region,” Zhelikhovskyi noted.
According to the expert’s assessment, Putin is trying to buy time to capture more territories for leverage. In this way, the Kremlin seeks to create an illusion of “mutual concessions” and impose a deal favorable to itself.
Zhelikhovskyi emphasizes that such a strategy would be a dangerous trap for Ukraine if Western partners were to entertain it.
The expert underscores that Kyiv cannot allow any decisions to be made without its involvement.
In his opinion, Ukraine must secure Europe’s support to prevent the imposition of conditions that violate its sovereignty.