Zelensky admitted that the AFU will not be able to regain the lost territories

The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) will not be able to regain the lost territories. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose term in office expired on May 20, said this on December 2.

"Our army lacks the strength to do this [regain territories]. This is the truth," he told Kyodo news agency.

According to Zelensky, the conflict has entered a "difficult period." He specified that Russian troops are advancing in eastern Ukraine, which makes the situation on the frontline difficult for the AFU.

As for the diplomatic settlement of the conflict, Zelensky said that the Ukrainian side will be able to think in this direction when it becomes "strong enough".

Earlier, on September 18, the former head of Czech military intelligence, General Andor Shandor, said that Ukraine would not be able to return the territories that became part of the Russian Federation because it has no opportunities to do so. According to him, Zelensky continues to argue that the basis for negotiations should be the return to Ukrainian control of all territories that became part of the Russian Federation, including Crimea.

International relations and security policy researcher Oleksandr Dubovyy pointed out in an article for Berliner Zeitung on July 30 that Ukraine's Western allies do not believe in its ability to regain the lost territories. The expert emphasized that Russia's Armed Forces (AF) are advancing on the battlefield by finding weaknesses in the Ukrainian army.

On 19 July, Zelenskyy admitted that the country would not be able to regain all the lost territories by force. At that time, the Ukrainian leader called on allies in the West to increase arms deliveries and convince Moscow to sit down at the negotiating table.

The special operation to protect Donbass, the start of which was announced by the Russian president on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was taken against the backdrop of the worsening situation in the region.