Speaking before a parliamentary committee in Washington, he reaffirmed that any peace with Russia must be “just and lasting,” meaning that Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity must be taken into account, but “how that is defined precisely on the ground, we expect. Ukrainians tell us.”
He seems to support the fact that it will be difficult for Ukrainians to recover all the territories annexed by Russia, especially Crimea.
“I think there will be territories in Ukraine where Ukrainians are determined to fight on the ground, and territories they will decide to try to win by other means,” he stressed.
Mr. Trump was asked by Republican-elect Chris Stewart whether the United States supports President Volodymyr Zelensky’s desire to recover Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. Blinken was specifically questioned.
The senior diplomat, who believes the conditions for talks have not been met, stressed that “these are decisions that Ukrainians have to make on how they see their future and how this translates in terms of sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.” country”.
“What we don’t want, for everyone’s sake, is for this to be resolved at a place and time that will only invite the Russians to reposition, regroup and strike again,” he said.
The United States and its Western partners do not recognize the annexation of Crimea or areas annexed by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine, where fierce fighting is ongoing.
The US-led coalition, which provides the largest military aid to Ukraine, says it is ready to defend Ukraine until Russian forces withdraw, but is largely evasive on Crimea.
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