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Russia Blames Ukraine’s Constitution for Hindering Peace Efforts, Citing Ban on Territorial Concessions
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![Amira_barkhush]( "Amira Barkhush")
Former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, now serving as Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, has stated that several factors are standing in the way of resolving the war with Ukraine, including its Constitution.
This was reported by Russian state media outlet TASS on March 20.
“Ukraine’s main difficulty is its constitution, which prohibits any negotiations on changing its territorial integrity,” Shoigu told journalists.
He also pointed to what he called another obstacle, the “legitimacy of Ukraine’s authorities,” claiming it’s unclear with whom negotiations could be held.
On March 19, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlined key issues that will not be subject to negotiation with Russia in any future peace talks, reiterating Kyiv’s stance on Russian-occupied territories, stressing that these areas remain temporarily occupied and will never be recognized as Russian.
Ukraine has repeatedly emphasized that any talks with Russia must respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and include security guarantees in line with its path toward European integration.
On March 18, the 11th anniversary of Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Autonomous Republic of Crimea through an illegitimate referendum, Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Special Envoy of US President Donald Trump for Middle East affairs, Steve Witkoff, announced on March 19 that ceasefire negotiations will resume on March 23 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The main focus of the meeting will be to work out the details of the agreements, particularly concerning the proposed 30-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.
