Klitschko: Ukraine may need to temporarily cede territories for peace

By ramontomeydw // 2025-04-27

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Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko proposed Ukraine might need to temporarily cede occupied territories to Russia for peace, diverging from President Zelensky's firm stance against surrendering land.
Klitschko's remarks reveal growing tensions within Ukraine's leadership, as he admitted Zelensky has not consulted him on peace negotiations.
U.S. President Trump and his allies criticized Zelensky for obstructing peace efforts, with Trump asserting Crimea would remain Russian.
Amid debates, Russian strikes intensified, including Kyiv's deadliest attack of the year, killing 12 and wounding dozens, underscoring the war's brutality.
Klitschko later clarified his comments but acknowledged any land-for-peace deal would face fierce resistance, leaving Ukraine at a crossroads between survival and sovereignty.

In a striking departure from Ukraine's official stance, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has suggested that the war-torn nation may need to temporarily surrender occupied territories to Russia to secure peace. The former heavyweight boxing champion and political rival of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made the comments in an interview with BBC on Thursday, April 24. His conversation with the British outlet acknowledges the painful reality of potential concessions, and contrasts with Zelensky's unwavering refusal to recognize any loss of Ukrainian land. Klitschko, who governs Ukraine's capital – a frequent target of Russian strikes – admitted that while territorial concessions are unjust, they might be a temporary solution for peace. "One of the scenarios is… to give up territory. It's not fair, but for the peace, temporary peace, maybe it can be a solution," he said. (Related: Kyiv Mayor Klitschko: Zelensky likely to agree to TERRITORIAL COMPROMISES with Russia.) However, the former boxing champion emphasized that he has no role in peace negotiations. He also noted that the comedian-turned-chief executive has not consulted him on the matter. Klitschko's comments underscore deepening political divisions within Ukraine as international pressure mounts for a resolution to the devastating two-year conflict.

Can Ukraine survive without giving up land?

The remarks also come amid escalating tensions between Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump, with the real estate mogul accusing the Ukrainian leader of obstructing peace efforts. Trump slammed Zelensky for his inflammatory stance against Russia's control of Crimea. According to Trump, Crimea – which Moscow annexed in 2014 – "will stay with Russia." Presidential son Donald Trump Jr. echoed his father's sentiment, asserting that "Zelensky doesn't want peace." Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that talks could collapse without progress, even as U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 25. The debate over territorial concessions has intensified as Russian strikes continue to devastate Ukrainian cities. On Thursday, Kyiv suffered its deadliest attack this year with 12 killed and dozens wounded. The BBC reported witnessing the body of a child pulled from rubble as residents mourned nearby Klitschko later clarified his remarks, stating he had "not said anything new" and that global leaders were already discussing such scenarios. Yet he acknowledged the grim reality: Any deal involving land concessions would require extraordinary resistance from Ukrainians and their allies. As negotiations loom and casualties mount, the question remains whether peace can be achieved without sacrificing sovereignty – or whether Ukraine's defiance will prolong the war. For now, the nation stands at a crossroads, torn between survival and surrender. Watch this video that compares Crimea under Ukrainian administration and post-annexation by Russia. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

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Can Ukraine survive without giving up land?

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