**Ukraine Will Not Recognize Occupied Territories as Part of Russia**
President Volodymyr Zelensky made it clear on March 12 that Ukraine will not recognize any occupied territories as part of Russia, even if a peace agreement is reached with Moscow.
“We are fighting for our independence. Therefore, we will not recognize any occupied territories as Russia’s,” Zelensky said in an address to journalists. “Our people have fought for this, our heroes died. How many injured, how many passed. No one will forget about it… This is the most important red line. We will not let anyone forget about this crime against Ukraine.”
This statement comes after Ukraine agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the US during talks between the two countries in Jeddah on March 11. The ceasefire was conditional upon Russia doing the same.
**Territorial Concessions Discussed**
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that territorial concessions were discussed as part of a negotiated settlement with Russia during Ukraine-US talks in Saudi Arabia on March 11.
However, President Zelensky made it clear that any peace deal would not include recognition of occupied territories. The US has previously stated that both Kyiv and Moscow will have to make compromises for a peace deal, but Zelensky’s stance remains firm.
**Occupied Territories**
Russian forces currently occupy around 20% of Ukraine, with reports of systematic repression, torture, and forced deportations emerging from the occupied regions. The occupied territories include Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, which are partially controlled by Russian troops.
**Sanctions on Russia**
Senator Lindsey Graham called for sanctions against Russia if Moscow refuses to agree to a ceasefire. He promised to introduce new congressional sanctions targeting Russia and nations that continue to buy Russian goods, including oil, gas, and uranium.
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