Zelensky Visits Kharkiv Frontline for the First Time Since War Began: "We Will Defend Our Territory Until the End"

Certificates of Commendation for Soldiers, Security Chief Dismissed... Boosting Morale
Reaffirming Territorial Defense, Opposing Territorial Concessions Raised by Some Western Circles

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Kharkiv, the second-largest city located on the northeastern front, for the first time since Russia's invasion. President Zelensky reiterated his determination to defend the territory and directly refuted some Western calls for territorial concessions and ceasefire negotiations.

According to CNN on the 29th (local time), the Ukrainian presidential office released a video on Telegram showing President Zelensky visiting Kharkiv, a northeastern frontline city currently facing Russian forces. President Zelensky stated, "Russia must know that we will defend our territory until the very end," adding, "We will fight and we will definitely win." He also urged Kharkiv officials to prepare projects for the region to be reborn with a new appearance, emphasizing the will for reconstruction.

President Zelensky also met directly with soldiers defending the Kharkiv frontline, awarding commendations to boost morale. Additionally, he dismissed a security official who was reportedly negligent in defense duties. He said, "We identified and dismissed the regional security official who, from the first day of the invasion, did not focus on defending the city and selfishly thought only of his own safety."

This visit to Kharkiv and the subsequent measures are interpreted as emphasizing the achievement of holding the second-largest city despite Russia's invasion and strongly expressing the will to resist. According to Oleh Syniehubov, governor of Kharkiv Oblast, 31% of Kharkiv Oblast's territory is currently occupied by Russian forces, of which 5% has been reclaimed. He also explained that 2,229 buildings have been damaged, with 225 completely destroyed. Damage was severe in the northern and eastern regions bordering Russia, where 30.2% of all housing was damaged.

On the other hand, this is seen as a move to directly counter pressures from some Western quarters calling for territorial concessions and ceasefire negotiations. It reflects the ongoing controversy, mainly among European countries, over Ukraine's territorial issues and peace talks.

According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), voices calling for a swift peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine are growing in Europe, especially in Italy, Germany, and France. Earlier, the Italian government proposed a peace negotiation plan to the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), and the governments of Ukraine and Russia. The plan centers on Ukraine relinquishing the Crimean Peninsula and parts of the Donbas region, which have been effectively controlled by Russia since 2014, and resuming ceasefire negotiations between the two sides as soon as possible.

However, the UK, Poland, and the three Baltic states advocate a hardline stance, arguing that if Ukraine makes concessions, Russia could further threaten the security of neighboring countries. Depending on the future moves of the U.S. government, which has yet to clarify its position, the controversy over Ukraine's territorial issues is expected to intensify.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.