Ukraine will not recognize occupied territories as Russian — Zelenskyy

“If we had a significant mass of forces, equipment, and so on — the kind we have requested from our partners — we could advance more rapidly on the front,” said Zelenskyy.

“If we lack such strength, of course, some issues can be resolved diplomatically. But we will not legally recognize the occupied territories as territories of Russia.”

He noted that recognizing the occupied territories as Russian would mean that “we have forgiven Russia, and the world has already calmed down.”

“There are many people who lived there before,” the president added.

“They lost their homes, some have given their lives, many people are held captive, and tens of thousands of children were deported. They [Russian troops] destroyed a lot. How can we recognize our land as Russian? Does that mean forgiving them for everything?”

On Nov. 20, Reuters reported that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is willing to discuss a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump but rejects any significant territorial concessions and insists that Kyiv must abandon its ambitions to join NATO.