Kyiv, April 14, 2025 — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has acknowledged that Ukraine currently lacks the military capability to fully retake all territories occupied by Russia, hinting at a possible shift toward diplomacy while maintaining a firm stance against territorial concessions.
Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv on Monday, Zelensky admitted the hard truth many military analysts have pointed to in recent months: that the war may not be won solely on the battlefield.
“That’s why this war will end diplomatically, but we will not recognise the lost territories as Russian,” Zelensky said, firmly reiterating that regions such as Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, and parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson remain sovereign Ukrainian territory.
A Strategic Shift Amid Military Stalemate
Zelensky’s comments come as the war, now in its third year, enters a prolonged phase of military stalemate. Ukrainian forces have struggled to make new gains, while Western military support has slowed due to political divisions in the U.S. and Europe.
Military experts believe the president’s statements reflect a grounded, realistic approach.
“Ukraine cannot indefinitely pursue a total military reconquest without reliable, long-term support from the West,” said security analyst Oleksandr Kovalenko.
Opening the Door to Dialogue — Without Conceding Ground
While Zelensky did not outline a clear diplomatic roadmap, his remarks suggest openness to future negotiations — potentially with mediation from international bodies like the UN or the OSCE. However, he stressed that any settlement would not legitimize Russia’s control over Ukrainian land.
“There is no room for surrender. We will not legitimise occupation,” he stated.
War Fatigue and Public Sentiment
As casualties rise and the war drags on, calls for diplomatic solutions have grown both inside Ukraine and among allies abroad. Still, recent polling shows that more than 70% of Ukrainians remain opposed to any deal that includes giving up territory.
Despite these challenges, Zelensky’s message balances the reality of Ukraine’s current military limits with a strong commitment to sovereignty. As global attention shifts and war fatigue grows, his remarks may lay the groundwork for eventual negotiations — though the path to peace remains complex and uncertain.
