Espreso. Global
Exclusive

Fixing frontline doesn’t mean renouncing Ukraine’s 1991 borders — diplomat Fried

15 February, 2025 Saturday
18:37

The United States does not demand that Ukraine renounce its legitimate claims to its territory within the internationally recognized 1991 borders

client/title.list_title

Daniel Fried, former long-time U.S. State Department coordinator for sanctions policy, shared his opinions in an interview with Antin Borkovskyi, host of the Studio West program on Espreso TV.

“I think it is perfectly reasonable for Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire, even one that de facto follows the current front line. That would mean that Russia continues to occupy Ukrainian territory, but Ukraine does not have to recognize that occupation as permanent. There is ample precedent for this. West Germany did not recognize East Germany. It insisted that it alone was the legitimate government of all of Germany. In the end, even though many believed that German reunification would never happen, it did,” he noted.

 The U.S. administration is now shaping a clear strategy regarding Ukraine. Trump held talks with both Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, though in the wrong order. Trump could have been more explicit and clearly stated that Russia is the aggressor. However, as the full picture of U.S. proposals is still unclear, the situation is not as critical as it may seem, says Fried.

“U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, speaking at the NATO summit, presented the key elements of Trump's new plan for Ukraine. These include a ceasefire, security guarantees for Ukraine provided by European, not American, troops, and the exclusion of Ukraine’s NATO membership from negotiations with Russia. Many Ukrainians reacted critically to Hegseth’s statements. However, upon closer analysis, they may prove less threatening than initially thought. The current ceasefire means that Ukraine will not be able to reclaim the territories occupied by Russia, but this was already clear,” he noted.

Hegseth emphasized that European troops would be responsible for ensuring peace, but he did not rule out the possibility of American support for these forces, including the involvement of air forces.

“The Trump administration insists on deploying European troops on the ground. However, European countries are unlikely to agree to this without American support, and Hegseth ultimately did not rule out such support, which is a key point. Overall, Hegseth's outlined provisions leave room for a potentially acceptable outcome: a ceasefire, Ukraine’s NATO membership, which is not up for negotiation but is hoped to remain on the strategic agenda, and forces to monitor the frontline. Undoubtedly, European countries will have many questions about the implementation of these provisions,” noted the American diplomat.

According to him, Ukraine should not sign any documents recognizing the annexation of any of its territories by Russia. Likewise, the United States should not accept this as a condition. The Trump administration spoke about a ceasefire and ending the war, but this should not imply concessions that solidify Ukraine’s territorial losses.

"There is a significant difference between agreeing to a ceasefire along the current line of contact and accepting Russian territorial conquests. The former would be a strategically justified step. The latter would be a serious mistake. I hope the Trump administration will not make concessions to Russia, as that would be a catastrophic position for the United States. Moreover, it would contradict the declared policy of the Trump administration itself. Secretary of State Pompeo clearly stated that the U.S. will never recognize the legitimacy of Russia’s occupation or annexation of Crimea. The Trump administration has already officially rejected the idea of Soviet or Russian territorial appropriation of Ukrainian lands, and I hope this position remains unchanged," he concluded.

  • On February 14, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth stated that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin plans to announce victory in the war against Ukraine, despite the actual developments on the ground.
Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Thursday
10 July
21:30
Zelenskyy considers Defense Minister Umerov for Ukraine’s ambassador to U.S.
21:10
European leaders agree to boost Ukraine’s air defense, fund drone interceptors
20:50
Zelenskyy: Signals from Trump suggest U.S. aid to Ukraine will resume
20:25
Exclusive
Russia concentrates over 40% of its combat activity on Pokrovsk axis – military expert
20:01
Exclusive
Trump no longer respects Putin, prioritizes ties with other leaders - analyst
19:37
Ukrainian special forces destroy rare Russian mine-laying system
19:10
Updated
Zelenskyy in Rome: Air defense, drone interceptors Ukraine’s top priorities
18:46
Germany ready to buy U.S. Patriot systems for Ukraine, says Chancellor Merz
18:18
UK to supply over 5,000 air defense missiles to Ukraine in £2.5B deal
17:49
Rubio: Russia proposes “new approach” to end war in Ukraine, but details unclear
17:18
Ukraine receives €1 billion from EU funded by profits on frozen Russian assets
16:55
Ukraine will need $1 trillion, 14 years for reconstruction — PM Shmyhal
16:48
Updated
Russia's overnight missile and drone attack kills two in Kyiv, multiple injured
16:32
Von der Leyen announces creation of European fund for Ukraine’s reconstruction
16:10
Exclusive
Ukraine’s future lies with West after war — journalist Portnikov
15:46
Exclusive
No reason to believe Russia can break through front line — Ukrainian major
15:24
Netherlands pledges €300 million for Ukraine reconstruction in 2025-2026
15:01
U.S. Senate hopes to pass Russia sanctions bill in July
14:39
Ukrainian Security Service colonel shot dead in Kyiv
14:17
OPINION
U.S., EU shift strategy on Ukraine war: what does it mean?
13:53
Ukraine to become first in Europe to launch Starlink mobile Internet
13:30
Exclusive
Russian forces deploy 'disposable soldiers' armed with explosives in runs on Ukrainian trenches — Rubizh Brigade
13:08
Exclusive
Russian forces attach warheads to decoy drones, turning them into attack weapons
12:45
Zelenskyy arrives in Rome for Ukraine Recovery Conference
12:24
Ukrainian forces destroy Russian fuel train in Zaporizhzhia region
12:02
Partisans destroy key railway relay cabinet on strategic Russian route in Crimea
11:40
Ukrainian leaders call Russian attack on Kyiv 'terror,' urge partners to toughen sanctions on Moscow
11:21
Exclusive
'Drone swarms used in strikes': expert on Russia’s air attacks against Ukraine
10:59
Russia loses 920 soldiers, 38 artillery systems, 11 tanks in one day of war in Ukraine
10:38
Ukraine needs new 'Marshall Plan' — Kellogg
09:57
Russian forces make gains in Toretsk, Donetsk region — DeepState
09:35
U.S. resumes delivery of artillery shells, mobile rocket systems to Ukraine
2025, Wednesday
9 July
21:50
Czech Republic to train 8 more Ukrainian F-16 pilots through 2026
21:35
Russia lures foreign women to build drones for war against Ukraine
21:27
Updated
Zelenskyy meets U.S. envoy Kellogg in Rome to talk arms, air defense, Russia sanctions
21:15
Exclusive
Ukraine can’t intercept everything: Defense Express breaks down Patriot missile output and drone threat
20:55
Exclusive
Taurus missiles may soon be transferred to Ukraine, German analyst says
20:15
China denies laser attack on German plane in Red Sea incident
19:45
Kremlin conceals demographic data amid massive war losses
19:15
OPINION
Trump vs. Putin: What political change in Washington could mean for Kremlin
More news