Zelensky names Ukraine's red lines in war settlement talks

The President announced this during a meeting with the heads of territorial communities of the Chernihiv region, Ukrinform reports.

“For us, the main priority is our powerful army. Therefore, this is (for us) a “red line” – no reductions in the army's size. Frankly speaking, we will do everything possible to ensure that the army remains in the same number as it is now. This is a large army, which is three times larger than (it was) at the beginning of the conflict. An army that can only be modernized. Such changes can only happen after the end of the war,” Zelensky noted, answering a question from the head of the Chernihiv Regional Council, Yena Dmitrenko.

He also added that one of Ukraine's key “red lines” in future peace talks will be non-recognition of the territories occupied by Russia.

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“Other important points are the non-recognition of any territories occupied by Russia as Russian. These are Ukrainian lands, and this is one of the main red lines for us. In any case, these are temporarily occupied territories,” the president emphasized.

He also said that a fair peace would only be achieved when all territories were returned. “But if a compromise can be found so that the return of these territories occurs gradually and diplomatically… I think that for some regions this will probably be the only option,” Zelensky suggested.

He added that Ukraine will strive to bring war criminals to justice.

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“Another question is which of our partners will stand with us in defense in this matter. This depends on the dignity and morality of other partners, and not on Ukraine,” Zelensky noted.

As reported, today Volodymyr Zelensky is in the Chernihiv region. He began his trip to this region with a visit to the village of Yagidnoye, where in 2022 the Russians held residents in the basement of a school for almost a month.