Zelenskyy stelt wereld duidelijk: alleen ik bepaal over Oekraïens grondgebied
Kiev, donderdag, 5 februari 2026.
Tijdens een ontmoeting met Poolse premier Donald Tusk in Kiev benadrukte Oekraïense president Volodymyr Zelenskyy dat geen ander land het recht heeft om delen van Oekraïens grondgebied als Russisch te erkennen. Hij verklaarde dat alleen de president van Oekraïne formeel documenten kan ondertekenen die betrekking hebben op het nationale grondgebied. Deze uitspraak komt in een periode van toenemende internationale diplomatieke druk, maar onderstreept de onverkorte soevereiniteit van Oekraïne over eigen territorium. Zelenskyy liet weten dat externe erkenning van bezette gebieden niets verandert zolang Oekraïne zelf niet instemt.
kiev underlines its sovereign authority
In Kyiv today, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine’s exclusive right to determine matters concerning its national territory during a joint press conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk [1]. Stating clearly that no foreign recognition of occupied regions as Russian holds legal weight, Zelenskyy emphasized that only he, as head of state, possesses the constitutional authority to sign such documents [1]. This declaration comes amid heightened diplomatic activity surrounding potential peace negotiations involving the United States and Russia in Abu Dhabi [2].
defying external pressure on territorial issues
President Zelenskyy dismissed any notion that international recognition could legitimize Russian control over occupied areas [1]. “Even if someone recognizes our territories as Russian, it gives nothing,” Zelenskyy asserted, underscoring Ukraine’s institutional resilience through its presidency [1]. His comments directly counter recent Kremlin-backed suggestions that global acceptance of annexed territories might feature in a broader settlement proposal discussed indirectly via Western intermediaries [1]. Poland stands firmly behind this position, with Tusk reinforcing that decisions about Ukraine must involve Ukrainians alone [2].
continuity in negotiation stance despite evolving dynamics
Despite ongoing indirect talks facilitated by the United States in Abu Dhabi, Ukraine maintains an unwavering public posture against territorial concessions [3]. Earlier this year, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited Kyiv, affirming strong alliance support and the necessity of durable security guarantees beyond immediate battlefield needs [4]. While acknowledging various diplomatic channels, including those initiated by former U.S. officials, Kyiv insists any agreement must preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity intact [3]. The current administration rejects any compromise perceived as rewarding aggression [3].
security challenges persist amidst diplomatic maneuvering
Parallel to diplomatic engagements, hostilities continue across eastern Ukraine, with recent attacks reported near Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk [2]. Civilian casualties have been confirmed following missile and drone assaults attributed to Russian forces [2]. Meanwhile, discussions around mutual prisoner exchanges and humanitarian pauses remain sensitive yet active components of backchannel communications [2]. As winter conditions strain critical infrastructure, Kyiv continues appealing to allies for accelerated delivery of air defense systems and energy grid reinforcements essential for both civilian survival and national resistance [2].