KADYROV: WAR CANNOT END UNTIL UKRAINE RECOGNIZES RUSSIA’S CLAIMS TO OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has categorically rejected Ukrainian peace proposals, arguing that Moscow would not accept any agreement that does not include Ukraine’s recognition of Russia’s claims over Crimea and the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
Kadyrov described the Ukrainian proposals as “ridiculous” and claimed that no “sane” Russian would accept them.
According to Kadyrov’s position, the war cannot end until Kyiv officially recognizes the four Ukrainian regions claimed by Moscow, as well as Crimea, as part of Russia. He also called for members of Ukraine’s leadership to face prosecution.
The comments come as negotiations over ending the Russia-Ukraine war remain heavily focused on the territorial issue. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said peace proposals remain “on the table,” while emphasizing that Moscow must consider what serves Russia’s interests.
On the Ukrainian side, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in September that recognizing Russian sovereignty over occupied Ukrainian territories is not part of the ongoing negotiations.
Internationally, Russia’s annexation claims over Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are not recognized as lawful. The international position reaffirming Ukraine’s territorial integrity remains a major obstacle to Moscow’s territorial demands.
The territorial question therefore remains one of the central issues in any potential peace agreement: what happens to the occupied territories, and what conditions would Russia and Ukraine be willing to accept?
The territorial dispute remains at the heart of the diplomatic deadlock surrounding the war.