In an exclusive interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy firmly stated that Ukraine cannot legally recognize any territory occupied by Russia as Russian, rejecting the possibility of ceding land in a peace agreement. This declaration followed a Pentagon announcement of an additional $275 million in military aid to Ukraine.

When asked by Trey Yingst, chief foreign correspondent for if he would concede Ukrainian territory in a peace deal, Zelenskyy responded that Ukraine cannot legally accept the annexation of territories occupied by Russia, including those seized since 2014. He emphasized that Ukraine wouldn’t formally acknowledge these Russian claims.

Regarding Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, Zelenskyy acknowledged President Putin’s assertion that Crimea would not return to Ukraine. However, Zelenskyy stated Ukraine aims to reclaim Crimea through diplomatic means, recognizing the unacceptable human cost of military action to achieve this goal.

Yingst also reported Zelenskyy’s belief that Ukraine would continue fighting even without U.S. support, but ultimately would lose the war if U.S. military funding were withdrawn. The Pentagon’s Wednesday announcement detailed the $275 million aid package, the seventieth since August 2021, providing munitions, artillery, and anti-tank weapons.