Kyiv Mayor Klitschko Hints at Possible Land Concessions for Peace

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Klitschko Hints at Possible Land Concessions for Peace, Stirs Debate in Ukraine

 

Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, has ignited a wave of controversy after suggesting Ukraine may have to consider territorial concessions to Russia as part of a future peace settlement. In a candid interview with the BBC, the former heavyweight boxing champion acknowledged that giving up land—even temporarily—might be one of the potential paths toward ending the war, though he emphasized that such a scenario would be painful and far from ideal.

 

"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, temporary," Klitschko said. However, he was quick to underline the steadfastness of the Ukrainian people, declaring, “the Ukrainian people would never accept occupation” by Russia.

 

Klitschko’s remarks came in the wake of one of the deadliest Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital in recent months. A coordinated missile-and-drone strike killed 12 people and injured more than 80, underscoring the devastating human cost of the conflict and the urgency felt by some to seek an end to the war.

 

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and currently occupies around 20% of Ukrainian territory. Klitschko’s statement marks one of the most high-profile acknowledgments by a Ukrainian official that territorial concessions might need to be considered, even if only as a temporary measure. Still, his suggestion is bound to prove divisive, especially given the strong national resolve against yielding any ground to Moscow.

 

 

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme from his office in central Kyiv, Klitschko described the capital as “the heart” of the country and reaffirmed his role as its steward during wartime. Despite the gravity of the situation, he noted that he has not been consulted by President Volodymyr Zelensky on any potential peace settlement. “President Zelensky does [it] himself. It's not my function,” he said.

 

Klitschko and Zelensky have had a tense political relationship, with the mayor previously accusing the president and his team of undermining his authority. While discussing the strained dynamics between leaders, Klitschko alluded to a highly publicized confrontation between Zelensky and former U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this year. “Key issues between top politicians would be better discussed without video cameras,” Klitschko said, suggesting a more discreet approach to diplomacy.

 

Tensions between Ukraine and Trump have resurfaced as the former U.S. president pushes for Ukraine to accept territorial losses, including the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014. Trump recently criticized Zelensky for refusing to entertain any negotiations that would concede Crimea to Russia, arguing that the territory “was lost years ago” and is “not even a point of discussion.”

 

Zelensky, however, has stood firm, pointing to a 2018 “Crimea declaration” made by Trump’s then-Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, in which the United States explicitly rejected Russia’s attempted annexation.

 

The Ukrainian president’s stance reflects the broader sentiment within Ukraine and among its European allies, many of whom have expressed growing concern over what they perceive as Trump’s increasingly conciliatory posture toward Russian President Vladimir Putin.

 

As the war drags on and geopolitical tensions mount, Klitschko’s comments may reflect a pragmatic, albeit controversial, recognition that hard choices could lie ahead. Whether Ukraine's leadership and people will ultimately entertain the idea of territorial compromise remains to be seen, but for now, the suggestion alone is likely to spark intense debate both within Ukraine and beyond.

 

Related Topic:

Why Zelensky Won’t Bargain Away Crimea — No Matter the Pressure

 

  Adpated by ASEAN Now from BBC  2025-04-26

 

 

[FlorC]

He knows their war is lost.

[thesetat]

The war was lost long ago. Without foreigners fighting and supplying support Ukraine never had a chance. Outmanned and outgunned by a longshot. 

Especially once Russia got help from N.Korea and China.. 

[Donga]

While I a lot of sympathy for Ukrainians for what they've endured, I believe regaining Crimea is a lost cause.

It has long been Russian then Soviet territory and was ceded to the Ukraine by the Soviets under Krushchef in1954 for political purposes, when Ukraine was a prominent member of the USSR. Never did the Soviets envisage that Ukraine would become independent. Over 80% of Crimea are Russian ethnics. Russian will not agree to any peace without keeping Crimea. 

As for the eastern parts of Ukraine, which also have large Russian ethnics, that also will be tough in the current situation. Russia now holds the much stronger cards, unless Europe can grow some, but probably too late for that.

[NickyLouie]

We also paid for a whole boatload of those minerals Palooka.....

[gargamon]

24 minutes ago, NickyLouie said:

We also paid for a whole boatload of those minerals Palooka.....

Got a link to that contract?

[Cameroni]

So Ukraine has lost the war. Time for European and American politicians to pat themselves on the back. 250 billion USD of taxpayer money well spent. Good job.

 

Paying me 250 billion USD would have been just as beneficial for the US and Europe. Except I could then finally buy that private army I need.

[Harrisfan]

3 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

So Ukraine has lost the war. Time for European and American politicians to pat themselves on the back. 250 billion USD of taxpayer money well spent. Good job.

 

Paying me 250 billion USD would have been just as beneficial for the US and Europe. Except I could then finally buy that private army I need.

Id buy Koh Chang resort and bank the rest.

[Cameroni]

2 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Id buy Koh Chang resort and bank the rest.

 

I have terrible memories of Koh Chang. I can't even go there.

[Cryingdick]

The land has already been conceded. They just have to sign on the dotted line now.