War cannot end while Crimea is under Russian occupation, says Zelenskyy

While the thrust of Kyiv’s efforts has been focused on recapturing territory in the south and east of Ukraine, Zelenskyy said that his ultimate goal was to liberate Crimea, the peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014 in violation of international law.

“We cannot imagine Ukraine without Crimea,” he said.

“And while Crimea is under Russian occupation it means only one thing: the war is not over yet.”

Asked whether there was any scenario under which there could be peace without Crimea, Zelenskyy said: “Then it would not be victory.”

Reports indicate that numerous fortification lines are being constructed between the border with mainland Ukraine and the Russian logistical hub in Dzhankoi, located in the north of Crimea. Russian troops have been observed moving near the ongoing construction.

Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov previously stated that Ukraine would regain control of Crimea without fighting, alluding to a strategy of isolating and besieging the peninsula.