Russian UN Envoy Claims “Hot Phase” of Ukraine War May End, Calls Occupied Regions “Lost”

With the Trump administration now in power, the “hot phase” of Russia’s war against Ukraine could soon end, according to Russian UN Representative Vasily Nebenzya, as reported by Russian media on February 17.

Nebenzya stated that a ceasefire alone would not be enough to resolve the Russian war against Ukraine, stressing that Ukraine should become a “demilitarized, neutral state” outside any alliances. Kyiv has firmly rejected this demand, warning that without security guarantees, Russia could launch another invasion.

He also claimed that Ukraine had “irrevocably lost” Crimea, as well as Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov allegedly questioned the need to include Europe in potential peace talks on Ukraine, given that European politicians appear determined to prolong the war.