Czech President Urges “Realism” on Ukraine’s Territories; Ukraine Rejects Occupation

Czech President Petr Pavel has suggested that Ukraine may have to accept the possibility of some of its territories remaining under Russian control after the war, describing this as a “temporary” situation.

In an interview with The New York Times, Pavel stated that Ukraine “needs to be realistic” about its chances of fully reclaiming Russian-occupied territories. “The most likely outcome of the war is that part of Ukraine’s territory will remain under Russian occupation, temporarily,” Pavel said, adding that this “temporary” state could last for years.

Pavel noted that the current circumstances do not allow for a clear victory for either Ukraine or Russia, suggesting the war’s resolution will likely be a compromise. While he did not provide specific examples, he referenced “several cases” of territories that remain under Moscow’s control temporarily.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry responds to Czech President’s remarks

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has rejected suggestions that any post-war settlement could involve leaving parts of Ukrainian territory under Russian control.

In a statement published on the ministry’s website, officials emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s “Peace Formula,” which calls for the full withdrawal of Russian troops from all internationally recognized Ukrainian territory.

“We stress that there can be no half-measures when it comes to human lives, freedom, shared values, accountability for Russian crimes, and the restoration of international peace and security. In this context, temporary solutions will not bring lasting peace but will merely delay further conflict,” the statement reads.

The ministry urged the international community to unite in support of the “Peace Formula” and apply more pressure on Russia to ensure a just resolution, the liberation of Ukraine’s territories, and respect for international law. “This is a realistic scenario that we can achieve together,” the statement concludes.

Though the foreign ministry did not directly refer to President Pavel’s comments, the response came shortly after he reiterated that Ukraine may have to accept the “temporary” occupation of some of its territories following the war.