Ukraine lacks strength to retake Crimea and Donbas for now — Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the possibility of fully relinquishing Crimea and Donbas, saying it is prohibited by the constitution.

“These territories are now de facto controlled by the Russians. We do not have the strength to return them. We can only count on diplomatic pressure from the international community to force [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to sit at the negotiating table,” Zelenskyy said.

He also criticized the West’s soft stance on Putin.

“I have the impression that Putin’s Russia is terrorizing everyone. He enjoys impunity. We need a strong America and a strong Europe to put pressure on Putin and stop this war,” Zelenskyy added.

The end of the war would not mean forgiveness for Putin, who must be held accountable for his actions in Ukraine, according to Zelenskyy.

In November, Zelenskyy told Fox News that Ukraine does not yet have enough strength to regain its 1991 borders but is prepared to return Crimea through diplomatic means.

Earlier, Andrii Yusov, a representative of the Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate, said the military has a plan to retake Crimea and destroy the illegally built Kerch Bridge.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of the HUR, noted it would be easier to regain Crimea than the occupied Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.