Ukraine responds to Czech president’s comment on temporary occupation: “Territorial integrity non-negotiable”

Ukraine has reaffirmed its commitment to regaining all occupied territories, following recent comments by Czech President Petr Pavel suggesting that Ukraine might need to accept partial territorial losses to Russia, at least temporarily.

Sep 24, 2024 - 20:00

Ukraine responds to Czech president’s comment on temporary occupation: “Territorial integrity non-negotiable”

In response to Pavel’s statements, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has emphasized Ukraine’s unwavering position on territorial integrity. A spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stated,

“We emphasize that there can be no half-measures when it comes to human lives, freedom, shared values, justice for Russian crimes, and the restoration of international peace and security. In this context, temporary solutions will not restore full peace but only postpone war,” the Ministry stated.

They called on the world to unite in implementing the “peace formula” and to pressure Russia “to force it into a just peace, the liberation of Ukraine’s territories, and respect for international law.”

“This is a realistic scenario that we are capable of implementing through joint efforts,” the statement concluded.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to reinforce this stance on the international stage. He is scheduled to appeal for increased military and political support at the United Nations General Assembly and present a comprehensive “Victory plan” to US President Biden during his upcoming visit to Washington.

Pavel suggested in a recent interview that Ukraine may need to accept that some territories could remain under Russian occupation, potentially for years. He cited factors such as waning European unity and war fatigue as reasons for this potential outcome. Pavel’s comments, while diverging from many official European stances, reflect ongoing debates about the future of European and US support for Ukraine and the potential risk of its decrease despite Russian ongoing offensive campaigns in eastern Ukraine.

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