Zelensky: Crimea Peninsula will return to Ukraine despite Russian control, our stance is "firm"
April 25, 2025136 ViewsRead Time: 2 minutes
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President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine stated today, Friday, that the Crimean Peninsula belongs to Ukraine despite Russia annexing it in 2014, affirming that Kiev's stance on this issue is "firm" despite American pressures.
President Donald Trump criticized his counterpart for not agreeing to relinquish control of the peninsula located in the Black Sea, which Russia took as part of a potential deal to end the war.
Zelensky told journalists: "Our position remains firm, only the Ukrainian people have the right to determine Ukrainian territories. The Ukrainian constitution states that all temporarily occupied territories belong to Ukraine." He added: "Ukraine will not legally recognize any temporarily occupied territories."
In reference to the territories controlled by Moscow, including the Crimean Peninsula, Zelensky said: "It is not mine. It belongs to the Ukrainian people today, who will pass it on to future generations and contribute to the development of our country."
Trump previously stated, "Ukraine lost the Crimean Peninsula years ago and Kiev did not fight for it in 2014." Zelensky added: "I agree with President Trump that Ukraine does not have enough weapons to regain control of the Crimean Peninsula by force."
Russia announced the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula following pro-European Union protests in Kiev, and supported rebels in eastern Ukraine.
President Donald Trump criticized his counterpart for not agreeing to relinquish control of the peninsula located in the Black Sea, which Russia took as part of a potential deal to end the war.
Zelensky told journalists: "Our position remains firm, only the Ukrainian people have the right to determine Ukrainian territories. The Ukrainian constitution states that all temporarily occupied territories belong to Ukraine." He added: "Ukraine will not legally recognize any temporarily occupied territories."
In reference to the territories controlled by Moscow, including the Crimean Peninsula, Zelensky said: "It is not mine. It belongs to the Ukrainian people today, who will pass it on to future generations and contribute to the development of our country."
Trump previously stated, "Ukraine lost the Crimean Peninsula years ago and Kiev did not fight for it in 2014." Zelensky added: "I agree with President Trump that Ukraine does not have enough weapons to regain control of the Crimean Peninsula by force."
Russia announced the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula following pro-European Union protests in Kiev, and supported rebels in eastern Ukraine.
