Trump’s peace push shifts Ukraine’s priorities, security guarantees first, NYT claims

Although Ukrainian officials have previously stated that they will not cede the occupied territory, President-elect Donald Trump's push to speed up negotiations has changed their approach. Ukrainian officials now believe that protecting their interests in potential negotiations will depend on security guarantees rather than territorial borders.

While talks should be based on security guarantees, Ukraine will not officially give up its territories under Russian occupation. This approach is being used to justify any possible deal in which Russia retains control over Ukrainian land.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously stated that the occupied territories will not be legally recognized as belonging to other countries. 

“Everyone understands that no matter which way we go, no one will legally recognize the occupied territories as belonging to other countries,” he said in October, commenting on a possible ceasefire deal.

While a senior Ukrainian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that “security guarantees are the primary issue, and the territorial issue is secondary.”

The President's Office recently stated that Ukraine has a clear vision for a just peace, refuting any suggestion that Kyiv was willing to accept a ceasefire along the current front line in exchange for security guarantees.