Parliament head to German media: Ukraine not to give up Crimea or Donbas

The "red lines" for Ukraine are compromises on sovereignty and territorial integrity, and therefore Ukraine will not give away Russia Crimea or Donbas.

This was stated by the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, in an interview with Germany’s FUNKE media group, Ukrinform reports.

"We do have ‘red lines’: we will not give up any of our territories – either Donbas or Crimea. They are only temporarily occupied. In addition, we will not compromise on sovereignty and independence. Ukraine will fight for victory," Stefanchuk said in response to questions about the preconditions for Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire.

Stefanchuk noted that every war ends in capitulation or a peace treaty, and Ukraine wants to negotiate, but Russian war crimes in Ukraine are increasingly reducing the likelihood of such a deal. "But after the Russian war crimes in Bucha or Irpin, the space for an agreement is narrowing. Donbas and Crimea are our territories. We will do everything possible to return them," he said.

He also stressed that Ukraine expects a quick decision from Germany on the transfer of new and modern weapons. First of all, Stefanchuk called for providing Ukraine with heavy weapons: self-propelled howitzers, multiple rocket launchers, anti-aircraft systems, and anti-ship missiles.

According to the top lawmaker, if Ukraine loses the war, Russian troops will soon be in the EU. "Europeans feel that global peace is not very stable. And that Russian President Vladimir Putin has taken only the first step. If Ukraine loses the war, Russian troops will be in Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia within a month," he said.

As Ukrinform reported, on June 1-3, Ruslan Stefanchuk paid a visit to Germany. During the visit, the Parliament Head met with top German officials, including German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, President of the German Bundestag Baerbel Bas, and others.