The Kremlin has firmly stated that the return of annexed Ukrainian territories is “non-negotiable” in any future peace deal, setting a stark red line amidst renewed diplomatic activity. This declaration comes as Russian and U.S. officials held a six-hour meeting in Istanbul, aimed at normalizing relations strained under previous administrations.
The Istanbul talks, following a high-level meeting in Saudi Arabia, reflect a shift in U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump, who has actively sought to engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin and expedite an end to the three-year conflict.
Despite Putin expressing “some hope” from initial U.S. contacts, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that the annexed regions – Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, along with Crimea – are “an inseparable part of our country.”
“The territories… inscribed in our country’s constitution, are an inseparable part of our country,” Peskov stated.
Ukraine, however, dismissed these claims as “laughable,” emphasizing its internationally recognized borders. “It’s really laughable to see them referring to their constitution,” Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman Georgiy Tykhy said.
The annexed regions, seized by Russia in 2014 and 2022, remain a point of contention. While Russia controls most of Donetsk and Lugansk, its hold on Zaporizhzhia and Kherson is partial.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, acknowledging resource limitations, has suggested some territories could be recovered through diplomacy, even raising the prospect of a territory “exchange” – a notion swiftly rejected by Moscow.
Diplomatic Maneuvering and Concerns
The flurry of diplomatic activity, including the Istanbul talks and Zelensky’s upcoming meeting with Trump, underscores the urgency to find a resolution. Zelensky is expected to sign an agreement granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare minerals, a demand made by Trump in exchange for continued military aid.
However, concerns remain in Ukraine regarding the lack of explicit security guarantees in the proposed agreement. “We all hear that we have to share the revenues from mineral resources, but it is not entirely clear what we get in return,” said Sergiy, a teacher in Kyiv.
European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, are also engaging with Trump, seeking assurances that the U.S. will not compromise Ukraine’s security in any potential negotiations.
The backdrop to these diplomatic efforts is the ongoing military conflict, with Russian forces making territorial gains in eastern Ukraine and the Kursk region.The Russian defense ministry reported the capture of Nikolsky, near the Ukrainian-held town of Sudzha.