Presidential advisor stresses: recognition of occupied territories impossible

This was stated by Oleksandr Bevz, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, during a televised interview, Ukrinform reports.

“Ukraine has repeatedly stated that no constitutional changes or any formal recognition of occupation can occur. This is exactly the ‘mine’: if it is included in an agreement or any other document, the legitimacy of that document would be immediately undermined. It would not be accepted, particularly by the most important stakeholders – Ukrainian defenders. Therefore, it is impossible,” he said.

Bevz emphasized that territorial issues remain the most difficult and are still under discussion.

“We are doing everything to ensure that whatever clause is included, it is acceptable to Ukraine,” he stated.

He explained that their task is to convince all members of the U.S. delegation, with whom the Ukrainian side is working, that any document ultimately agreed upon and signed must lead to a sustainable peace.

“If it contains provisions unacceptable, for example, to the Ukrainian people, I mean categorically unacceptable, then it will be difficult to speak about sustainable peace and the perception of the document’s legitimacy in Ukrainian society. And not only in Ukraine, but also in Europe and in the United States,” the Presidential Office representative said.

Bevz also urged caution in using terms such as “territorial exchanges,” “withdrawal from certain territories,” or “concessions on territorial issues.”

“Because this immediately creates the impression that Ukraine must give up something that Russia has not yet conquered militarily. The Ukrainian delegation’s position is very clear: final decisions regarding territories will be made exclusively by the President at the level of national leaders. No one else has ever been more authorized to agree on this most sensitive issue for Ukrainian society,” he explained.

Secondly, Bevz noted that the current line of contact remains the baseline for any discussions.

As reported by Ukrinform, EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas explained what security guarantees the EU would provide to Ukraine after the war ends.