Czech President Suggests Ukraine May Temporarily Lose Territory to Ensure Sovereignty
Prague, The Gulf Observer: In a candid interview with the BBC, Czech President Petr Pavel stated that Ukraine may have to accept the temporary loss of some of its territory currently under Russian occupation in order to preserve its sovereignty and avoid further devastating human losses.
President Pavel emphasized that such occupied regions would never be recognized legally as part of the Russian Federation, reaffirming the Czech Republic’s and Europe’s commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity under international law.
“Even with continued Western military support, Ukraine is not in a position to liberate all occupied territories without suffering significant casualties,” Pavel said, warning against pressuring Kyiv into potentially unsustainable military action. “It would be unfair for the West to expect Ukraine to bear such a burden alone.”
Highlighting the need to balance military strategy with broader geopolitical goals, President Pavel argued that the primary focus should remain the survival and sovereignty of the Ukrainian state. He insisted that while Western military assistance must continue, the conflict cannot be resolved on the battlefield alone.
“The more effective strategy lies in leveraging economic pressure,” Pavel noted, pointing to the combined economic power of Europe and the United States as a critical tool to compel Moscow to negotiate.
President Pavel’s remarks reflect a growing recognition within parts of Europe of the long-term complexity of the conflict and the need for a pragmatic approach to ensure Ukraine’s future as a free and independent nation.
