The Kremlin has ruled out any negotiation over the status of five Ukrainian regions it claims to have annexed since its invasion, despite not fully controlling all four of them.
Kremlin Spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov stressed that the territories, “which have become subjects of the Russian Federation, which are inscribed in our country’s constitution,” are an inseparable part of the country. “This is undeniable and non-negotiable,” Peskov told reporters.
In 2014, Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimea Peninsula following a brief military operation and a referendum that was criticised as illegitimate by Kyiv and Western powers.
After launching its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russia declared the annexation of four more regions – Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson in September.
At a ceremony marking the event, Russian President, Vladimir Putin said that Russia has “four new regions”, calling them “our citizens forever.”
Russian forces control most of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and parts of Zaporizhia and Kherson.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has seized hundreds of square kilometres of Russia’s Kursk region, and Zelenskyy has raised the possibility of an “exchange” of territory with Moscow – a notion that Russia has flatly ruled out.
Russian forces have been pushing further into eastern Ukraine in recent months and have seized back some territory in Kursk.
Russia claimed on Thursday, February 27, 2025, that its forces have recaptured the village of Nikolsky, which was taken by Ukraine during last year’s incursion.
According to the Defense Ministry, the village has been brought back under Russian control following an operation by the Sever (North) group of forces.
The ministry also reported launching a coordinated overnight strike on 142 targets, employing precision weapons, aviation, drones, missiles, and artillery.
The strikes targeted Ukraine’s military airfields, drone operator training sites, and concentrations of personnel and equipment.
In response, Ukraine carried out a large-scale drone attack, the ministry stated. Russian forces reportedly shot down 185 drones, seven US-made JDAM guided aerial bombs, and 104 aircraft-type drones, with most intercepted by air defense systems.
Peskov Speaks On Thawing US-Russia Ties
On thawing US-Russia ties, Peskov stated, “No one expects decisions to be easy and quick.”
However, he added that with the political will of the two countries, with the willingness to listen and hear each other, “we will be able to get through this working process.”
Also, the Kremlin Spokesman noted that Washington’s policy of raising tariffs and duties will not affect Moscow.
“We have little trade turnover with the US, I would say as low as possible, which is why some tariffs or duties cannot negatively influence us.”
Dmitry Peskov
US President, Donald Trump said earlier that the American administration had decided to impose customs duties in the amount of 25% on supplies of goods from the European Union.
On February 1, 2025, Trump signed a decree raising tariffs on goods from Canada, China, and Mexico.
US President has also said that he warned BRICS countries that he would impose 150% tariffs for any attempt to create an alternative to the US dollar.
Additionally, Peskov pointed out that Russian and American companies are interested in collaboration in exploration of Arctic resources.
“Indeed, plenty of room for potential cooperation between Russian and American companies was mentioned in Riyadh. Such room is in place, and companies’ interest exists. However, no detailed discussions on that have taken place yet.”
Dmitry Peskov
Meanwhile Peskov stressed that it is necessary to have “patience,” adding, “There is much information in the media now that substitutes the wish for the reality.”
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