A peace proposal from the U.S. administration, suggesting the recognition of Russian control over Crimea, has deeply shocked Ukrainian officials. They have made it clear that they will not accept any formal surrender of the peninsula, even though there is an acknowledgment that the territory may, at least temporarily, fall under Kremlin control.
Experts argue that giving up Crimea, which was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014, is politically and legally unfeasible. Such a move would require a revision of Ukraine’s constitution, a nationwide referendum, and could even be seen as an act of treason. Lawmakers and the public remain strongly opposed to the idea.
Oleksandr Merezkho, a member of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s party, stated, “It doesn’t mean anything. We will never recognize Crimea as part of Russia.” Unlike a temporary territorial concession, a formal surrender would signify a permanent loss of Crimea, abandoning any future hopes of reclaiming it.
While the Ukrainian public largely accepts that ceding territory may be a part of any peace agreement, polls show that a growing number of people understand that recapturing the land through military action is not a viable option.
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