Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that no consensus has been reached on key territorial questions as part of a potential peace settlement with Russia, following two days of consultations between Ukrainian, American, and European negotiators in Berlin.
Speaking after the talks, Zelensky emphasized that the issue of occupied territories—particularly Donbas—remains one of the most sensitive and unresolved elements of any prospective agreement.
“These are important features for me in any format for Donbas. Neither *de jure* nor *de facto* will we recognize Donbas as Russian—the part that is temporarily occupied,” Zelensky said. “Nevertheless, we are discussing the issue regarding the territories, and you know that it is one of the key ones.”
Ukrainian president claimed that while discussions with Western partners continue, fundamental disagreements persist regarding the future status of territories occupied by Russian forces. Zelensky reiterated Kyiv’s long-standing position that Ukraine will not recognize Russian sovereignty over any part of its internationally recognized territory, regardless of the framework of a peace process.
The Berlin meetings brought together representatives from Ukraine, the United States, and several European countries as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to explore possible pathways toward ending the war. However, Zelensky’s remarks underscore the complexity of negotiations and the absence of agreement on the most contentious aspects of a potential settlement.
Territorial integrity remains a core red line for Kyiv, with Ukrainian officials repeatedly stressing that any peace arrangement must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and borders.
Image source: The Economist
