Kiev Mayor Klitschko Proposes Ukraine's Peaceful Territory Concessions

Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko has told the BBC that Ukraine may have to cede territory as part of a potential peace deal with Russia, as pressure grows—including from U.S. President Donald Trump—to accept concessions.

"One of the scenarios is… to give up territory. It's not fair. But for peace, temporary peace, maybe it can be a solution—temporary," Klitschko said in an interview with the BBC.

The 53-year-old former boxing champion emphasized, however, that Ukrainians would "never accept occupation" by Russia. His remarks came hours after a Russian missile and drone attack on Kiev killed 12 people and wounded more than 80, marking one of the deadliest assaults on the capital in months.

Klitschko is now among the highest-profile Ukrainian officials to publicly suggest territorial concessions, even if temporary.

Political Tensions and Public Disputes

Klitschko, a political rival of President Volodymyr Zelensky, has repeatedly accused the president’s administration of undermining his authority. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today program from his office in central Kiev, the mayor stressed his responsibility for the capital, calling it "the heart" of the war-torn country.

He suggested Zelensky might be forced to make a "painful solution" to achieve peace. When asked if the president had consulted him on potential settlement terms, Klitschko replied bluntly: "No."

"President Zelensky does [it] himself. It's not my function," he added.

Referencing Zelensky’s contentious February meeting with Trump at the White House, Klitschko implied that sensitive negotiations should be conducted "without video cameras."

Trump, Crimea, and European Concerns

Earlier this week, Trump criticized Zelensky for rejecting the recognition of Russian-occupied Crimea, which Moscow illegally annexed in 2014. Trump claimed Crimea "was lost years ago" and was "not even a point of discussion." Zelensky, however, cited a 2018 U.S. declaration rejecting Russia’s annexation.

Ukraine and its European allies have grown increasingly uneasy over Trump’s perceived warming ties with Putin’s Russia. Meanwhile, Russian strikes continue.

As diplomatic and military pressures mount, Ukraine faces agonizing choices in its fight for survival.