Ukraine can’t cede territory even by referendum — Parliament Speaker
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Tue, 12 Aug 2025 20:21:00 +0300

He said this at the Ukrainian Youth Forum: Youth Is Here, Ukrinform reports.Stefanchuk stressed that a territory swap is prohibited both at the constitutional and legislative levels. It also cannot be decided by referendum.“I want to remind everyone: when we drafted the law on the referendum, the key provision we included was that even by referendum one cannot violate the territorial integrity of Ukraine. This is something that cannot be destroyed by anyone. And this is the clear position of Ukrainian legislation, the clear position of the Ukrainian republic. Therefore, we very much want that, no matter who says what, they keep in mind that it is precisely the Constitution of Ukraine and the laws of Ukraine that prohibit any actions related to so-called exchanges of Ukrainian territories on Ukrainian territory,” he explained.The Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada said that Kyiv is explaining this position to its allies. In particular, communications have taken place with Germany and Denmark, and a dialogue with Canada is expected.“For us, it is very important that parliamentary associations demonstrate to the whole world that parliamentarians, who are representatives of their peoples, are united around issues concerning Ukraine. And to explain Ukraine’s position — what Ukraine cannot allow in any negotiations. And most importantly, that nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine, and the red lines that Ukraine will never accept under any negotiations,” Stefanchuk stated.BackgroundOn August 8, Bloomberg and WSJ reported that U.S. President Donald Trump may be willing to accept Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s terms to formally recognize Russian control over parts of occupied Ukrainian territories.On the same day, U.S. President Donald Trump said that a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine would involve some exchange of territories.Later, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he would hold a meeting with the Russian leader Vladimir Putin in the state of Alaska next Friday.Before the Trump-Putin meeting, senior officials from the U.S., Ukraine, and European countries are set to hold talks to coordinate their joint positions.Media also reported that Volodymyr Zelenskyy might join the meeting between the American and Russian leaders. However, at a briefing on August 11, Trump noted that he will meet with Putin first, and later there might be a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy, or all three together.
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