Zelenskyy: Ukraine will not cede territory to Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reaffirmed that Ukraine will not surrender any part of its territory, insisting that occupied regions will be reclaimed.

Speaking in an interview with German broadcaster ARD, Zelenskyy said Ukraine remains committed to restoring its internationally recognized borders.

“Legally, we will not give up our territories,” he said. “Of course, we will return everything. Respect for international law will return. If not today, then tomorrow.”

Zelenskyy also criticized US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over comments suggesting that restoring Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic goal.

“The US is saying things today that are very pleasing to Putin. Because they want to please him. Do you know why? Because they can meet and achieve quick success,” Zelenskyy said.

He added that Hegseth should take more time to study the situation in detail.

He also insisted that Ukraine’s potential NATO membership must remain on the table in any future negotiations to end the war.