Zelensky: Ukrainian army lacks forces to retake Crimea

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has acknowledged that Ukraine's military currently lacks the strength to reclaim Crimea and emphasized the need to pursue diplomatic solutions.

The head of state said this in an interview with the Japanese news agency Kyodo News, Ukrinform reports.

"We do not have enough forces to return Crimea. Our army does not have enough forces. We must seek diplomatic means, but [this will be possible] only after we know that we are so strong that the Russians will not return with aggression again. Then we can think about diplomatic steps," Zelensky said.

He noted that Crimea is "strategic" not only for Ukraine.

"It is strategic in principle for the world. Because whoever controls Crimea controls security in the Black Sea. Everyone understands this. All food security corridors. […] Here is an example: when Putin occupied Crimea, he blocked the Black Sea. Agricultural products from Ukraine did not reach Africa, Asia, or European countries," Zelensky said.

At the same time, he emphasized that Putin should know that "we will return to all our occupied lands, preferably through diplomatic channels, because all this minimizes casualties."