Ukrainian First Lady: "Even if territory is ceded to Russia, the war will not stop"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine and wife of President Volodymyr Zelensky, expressed a negative stance on the partial territorial concessions and peace negotiation proposals for Ukraine being raised by some Western circles in an interview with American media. She warned that even if territory is conceded, Russia would not stop the war and might instead escalate its invasion further.

On the 2nd (local time), in an interview with ABC News, First Lady Zelenska stated, "Even if we announce that we are conceding some territory, Russia will not stop its invasion," adding, "Russia will continue to pressure us and launch more attacks on our territory." She emphasized, "Giving up territory is equivalent to giving up freedom."

Her remarks are interpreted as a rebuttal to the pressure from some European Union (EU) countries urging Ukraine to cede part of its territory and quickly conclude peace negotiations. Russia demands the transfer of the Donbas region and areas currently occupied by Russian forces, as well as Ukraine's neutrality, as conditions for peace talks, but the Ukrainian government has not accepted these demands. Controversy is growing as some EU countries, led by Italy, advocate peace mediation proposals that Ukraine should cede some territory to achieve peace negotiations.

Meanwhile, Russian forces, which had previously slowed their offensive in the Donbas region, are now concentrating their efforts to strengthen their assault. According to CNN, Serhiy Haidai, governor of Ukraine's Luhansk province, announced that Russian forces have seized more than 80% of Sievierodonetsk, a key strategic point in the Donbas region. Ukrainian forces are reportedly retreating from major frontlines to regroup.

Sievierodonetsk serves as a supply hub where military aid from the West is concentrated, and there are concerns that if it falls completely, multiple cities across the Donbas area could be captured simultaneously.

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