Zelensky on Witkoff's "five territories": He discusses issues beyond his competence
Recognizing any temporarily occupied territories as Russian is a red line for Ukraine, and "some representatives" are discussing issues beyond their competence. At a press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Odesa, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to the statement by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff that the key to a peace agreement is "five territories.".
He emphasized that Ukraine is a sovereign state, and all territories belong to the unitary state of Ukraine.
"Only the people of Ukraine can speak about the territories of our country. And you know that for us, these are red lines – the recognition of the temporarily occupied territories as Russian rather than Ukrainian," the head of state said .
He added that "the relevant representatives are discussing issues outside their competence.".
- on April 2, Putin's investment representative Dmitriev met with Vitkoff in Washington. on April 11, Reuters wrote that Vitkoff then suggested that Trump recognize four regions of Ukraine as Russian.
- Also on April 11, Trump said that Russia should start moving toward peace in Ukraine.
- On April 15, he blamed the full-scale invasion of Ukraine primarily on Putin, but also said that his predecessor Biden and President Zelenskiy had allegedly allowed the war to happen.
- On the same day, after a meeting with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin that lasted more than five hours, , Vitkoff said that "five territories" were the "key" to ending the war against Ukraine.
