Mayor of Kiev, Klicko: Ukraine must make concessions

Former boxer Vitaly Klicko appears to be on the same line as American President Donald Trump when he claims that “Ukraine must temporarily give up territories in order to achieve peace with Russia”.

“Ukraine may need to issue a portion of its territory to reach a peace agreement with Russia”.

Vitaly Klicko, mayor of Kiev, said in an interview for British media BBC that one scenario is also the launch of a portion of the territory. The statement of the former boxing champion came three years after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and at the height of pressure from American President Trump, that peace can only come if Ukraine makes territorial concessions.

This is not fair. But for peace, temporary peace, this may be the temporary solution” he said by answering BBC questions, stressing that the Ukrainian people “should never accept the Russian invasion” anyway.

The 53-year-old interview was conducted in his office in Kiev, the town he called “the heart of a war-torn country <x1). A few hours before the interview, the Ukrainian capital experienced the latest fearful attack, which shot 12 people to death and injured more than 80 others.

Political Rivalry in Wartime

Kiev Mayor and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski are political opponents. Klicko is one of the high profile politicians in Ukraine who has publicly stated that his country will have to temporarily issue territories and has accused the president and his team of trying to undermine authority.

He stated during the interview that his political rival would be obliged to accept a “painful solution” with the goal of achieving peace. When asked if Zelenski had discussed any details about reaching any agreement with him, the former champion responded sharply with a “Jo”.

President Zelenski decides for himself. It's not my task” Klcko added.

The tense situation of a short time ago between Zelenski and Trump at the White House was commented by the mayor, who said the key “tensions between the two key politicians is better discussed without the presence of cameras”.

Trump vs Zeleneski

Earlier this week, US President Trump accused Zelenskin of damaging peace negotiations after the Ukrainian counterpart again ruled out the possibility of recognition of Russian control over Crime, the south Ukrainian peninsula, illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014.

During an interview for the magazine “Time”, Trump said that “Krima will stay with Russia”, which followed the earlier ones where Trump said that “the brigade was lost years ago”.

Zelenski himself was referring to a 2017 statement made by the State Secretary of Trump's first governing mandate, Mike Pompeo, who said the United States “rejects Russian annex”.

Ukraine and European allies have expressed concern in recent weeks over the warm “ ” relations with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Currently Moscow controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory. / DW/Periscopi/