Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrey Sibiga, made it clear that Ukraine will never accept Russia’s control over the territories it has lost since 2014, including Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye.
These regions were officially annexed by Russia following disputed referendums in 2014 and 2022, but Kiev maintains that they are part of Ukraine. Sibiga emphasized that Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty are non-negotiable.
In an interview with RBK-Ukraine, Sibiga also addressed Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO, stating that the country won’t allow any external forces to dictate which alliances it can pursue. Despite NATO members’ varying views on Ukraine’s membership, Sibiga insisted that the goal of joining NATO remains firmly on the table. This comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin cited Ukraine’s NATO ambitions as a key reason for his invasion in 2022.
The Foreign Minister also expressed that Ukraine will not compromise on its military strength and manpower, underscoring the country’s readiness to defend itself. While acknowledging recent US-Ukrainian talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine agreed to a 30-day ceasefire, Sibiga reiterated that Ukraine is seeking a comprehensive peace agreement with Moscow, not just a temporary halt to hostilities.
Meanwhile, US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz noted that Ukraine’s NATO membership seems “incredibly unlikely” and suggested that any peace deal would likely include territorial concessions for security guarantees. Despite this, Ukrainian officials have made it clear they won’t surrender any more territory, especially in regions like Zaporozhye and Kherson, where Russian forces have claims but Ukraine maintains control.
