Blinken assessed the prospects of returning the territories to Kiev

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in an interview with The New York Times on 4 January that Ukraine is unlikely to be able to return the territories that have already become part of Russia as a result of referendums.

According to him, Ukraine would be forced to make a compromise not in its favor.

"The line as a practical matter in the foreseeable future is unlikely to move much," - said the Secretary of State.

Late US aid to Ukraine and vague promises of Europe. What the media say

Earlier, on December 21, it was reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose term expired on May 20, had begun to admit that he would not be able to regain the territories militarily. He noted that the army does not have the strength to return the territories.

Before that, on December 17, US political analyst Francis Fukuyama noted that Ukraine could offer territorial concessions in exchange for guarantees of NATO membership, but European leaders might not go for it because of additional military commitments.

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