U
S. Special Envoy Steve Vitekoff made an unexpected statement regarding a possible compromise in the Ukraine-Russia war, suggesting that at a certain stage Ukraine might have to concede some of its territories. In his comments to the American publication Wall Street Journal, he noted that during negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader was too focused on Ukrainian lands, which, according to Vitekoff, could indicate the possibility that Moscow will gain control over some of the occupied regions, but not all. Vitekoff emphasized that for Russia, control over certain regions is crucial; without it, their strategy would lack meaning. However, he also stated that Ukraine could continue to preserve the overall integrity of its territory if Russian occupying forces leave certain areas. He primarily pointed out that this issue largely concerns predominantly Russian-speaking regions where there is a significant pro-Russian electorate. "When you look at eight or five regions—Russia and Ukraine—and think about their importance, it turns out that for both sides, these territories matter. But if some of them are more Russian-speaking—does that then change your attitude towards them?" Vitekoff asked in his speech. According to the commentator, his interest in this matter lies in understanding how important it will be for Ukrainian authorities to maintain control over these particular territories, considering their linguistic and cultural characteristics. It should be noted that earlier this year, Vitekoff first mentioned the Ukrainian territories occupied by Russian forces in an interview with TV host Tucker Carlson. At that time, he incorrectly stated their number and could barely recall all the occupied regions, which drew criticism from analysts and experts, as well as from the White House and Republican circles. Some commentators and politicians noted that such statements by the U.S. special envoy indicate a difficult dilemma faced by Ukrainian authorities and interested parties. On one hand, the importance of defending sovereignty and territorial integrity; on the other, the realities of the armed conflict and the possibility of seeking a compromise to end the hostilities. It is also worth recalling that recently, Vitekoff made several other unpopular statements for official America, notably during an appearance on Fox News, where he hinted that a peace agreement that would establish peace between Ukraine and Russia is quite possible, with the consideration of the "five territories"—a term that has been unreasonably vague and has sparked additional discussions. The specific regions referred to have not been clarified, which has generated even greater interest and concerns among Ukrainian politicians and experts. In the context of recent years, Vitekoff’s statements are an intriguing sign of a potential shift in official position and approaches regarding the Ukrainian conflict, which could influence the international scene and the future of negotiations. Whether the U.S. is truly willing to make compromises to end the war remains unknown, but such statements cannot be ignored as one of the key factors shaping the current informational and political discourse surrounding the Ukraine-Russia confrontation.