Russia Declares Annexed Ukrainian Land “Non-Negotiable” as US Pushes for Peace Talks

Moscow – The Kremlin has firmly ruled out any possibility of returning annexed Ukrainian territories as part of a peace agreement, setting a major red line as Russian and U.S. officials met in Istanbul for fresh diplomatic talks.

The discussions, aimed at normalizing relations between Washington and Moscow, come as U.S. President Donald Trump pushes for a swift resolution to the ongoing conflict. Trump, who took office last month, has signaled a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy by reaching out to Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to de-escalate tensions.

Russia’s Stance on Annexed Territories

Speaking on Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made it clear that Russia considers the Ukrainian regions it annexed in 2022 to be a permanent part of the country.

“The territories which have become subjects of the Russian Federation, which are inscribed in our country's constitution, are an inseparable part of our country,” Peskov told reporters in a phone briefing.

“This is undeniable and non-negotiable.”

His remarks reinforce Russia’s stance on the annexation of four Ukrainian regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This follows the annexation of Crimea in 2014, a move that Ukraine and most Western nations still consider illegal.

Ukraine Dismisses Russian Claims

Kyiv swiftly rejected Moscow’s assertions, with Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Georgiy Tykhy insisting that the annexations hold no legal weight.

“Ukraine has its internationally recognized borders,” Tykhy said.

“It’s really laughable to see them referring to their constitution to justify the annexation.”

Although Russian forces maintain control over most of Donetsk and Luhansk, their grip on Zaporizhzhia and Kherson remains partial. Moscow also holds parts of Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, while Kyiv has launched counteroffensives into Russia’s Kursk region in recent months.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has acknowledged the challenges his army faces in reclaiming lost territories but has hinted that some land could potentially be returned through diplomatic efforts. He has also raised the idea of a land “exchange” with Moscow—an option Russia has outright rejected.

Diplomatic Efforts Gain Momentum

Despite Russia’s firm position on annexed land, Putin indicated on Thursday that diplomatic efforts with the U.S. are showing signs of progress.

“The first contacts with the new U.S. administration give some hope,” Putin stated during a meeting with Russia’s FSB security agency.

“There is a mutual desire to work on restoring relations.”

His comments follow a wave of international diplomatic meetings, including high-level talks in Saudi Arabia and ongoing efforts in Istanbul. Peskov, however, warned that restoring U.S.-Russia ties will be a long and complex process.

“No one expects decisions to be easy and quick. But with the political will of the two countries, with the willingness to listen and hear each other, we will be able to get through this working process,” Peskov said.

Zelensky and Western Leaders Press for U.S. Support

As Russia and the U.S. engage in preliminary discussions, Zelensky is set to meet President Trump on Friday, where he is expected to push for continued American aid. European leaders are also making their case in Washington, worried that Trump’s new diplomatic approach could leave Ukraine vulnerable.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is scheduled to meet Trump on Thursday, urging the U.S. to support a Ukraine ceasefire agreement that includes long-term security guarantees. Starmer’s visit follows a trip by French President Emmanuel Macron, as European leaders scramble to secure assurances from the new U.S. administration.

Escalating Conflict in Eastern Ukraine

While diplomatic efforts continue, fighting on the ground has intensified. Russian forces have advanced further into eastern Ukraine and reclaimed some territory in the Kursk region.

On Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that its troops had re-captured the village of Nikolsky, near the Ukrainian-held town of Sudzha. The battlefield developments highlight the ongoing volatility of the conflict, even as diplomatic negotiations unfold.

With both sides holding firm on key territorial issues, the road to a potential peace settlement remains uncertain.