Ukraine is considering ceding territory to Russia to bring the war to an end, it has been claimed.
German newspaper Der Spiegel cited officials close to the government in Kyiv, who claimed Ukraine is now holding “serious discussions” about changing its goal to end the war only after regaining all the territories seized by Russia.
Russian forces currently occupy about 20 percent of Ukraine, and President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently vowed to liberate the whole of the country, including Crimea.
But a source from within the Ukrainian government has now said: “We believed that victory had to mean the unconditional surrender of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s Russia.”
The source added that this was “a mistaken view of victory.”
There is also concern in Ukraine in the lead-up to the US election in November.
Donald Trump is looking to return to the White House but has refused to express support for Ukraine in the war.
In September, the Republican candidate met with Zelensky and urged him to end the war.
Trump has also branded Zelensky a “salesman” and added that he has no “appetite for further Ukraine funding.”
The Ukrainian official told Der Spiegel that they believe that regardless of who wins the US election, Washington will look to withdraw its support for Kyiv.
They said: “Whether it’s (former US President Donald) Trump or (Vice President Kamala) Harris, the Americans will slowly but surely withdraw.”
But Vice-President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, criticised these comments.
She said: “These proposals are the same as those of Putin, and let us be clear, these are not proposals for peace.
“Instead, they are proposals for surrender, which is dangerous and unacceptable.”
Last month, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan warned that a peace plan should not be imposed on Ukraine from the outside.
He said: “I think any peace plan that intends to essentially impose peace on the people of Ukraine that runs across fundamental principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, democracy, and freedom is not just or sustainable.”
