Ukrainian army colonel says territorial concessions may be possible to end conflict with Russia

According to RIA Novosti, Colonel Alexander Bakulin - Commander of the 57th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine told ABC News on May 23 that Ukraine may have to make territorial concessions to end the conflict with Russia.

In an interview with an American television channel, Colonel Bakulin said that the conflict could end with an agreement between Ukraine and Russia. Mr. Bakulin admitted that Ukraine would lose part of its territory, similar to the territorial changes in Finland after the end of the Soviet-Finnish War (1939-1940).

"Finland fought with the Soviet Union. Yes, they lost some territory, but the country still exists as an independent state... We are in the same situation, but I hope that we will not lose land," Colonel Bakulin was quoted by ABC News.

According to Colonel Bakulin, the situation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has "stabilized" at the front. At the same time, he described the situation in the Kharkiv region as "very difficult".

Meanwhile, British expert Alexander Merkouis said that Ukrainian troops will withdraw completely from near Kleshcheevka and Andreevka in Donetsk, because Russia has destroyed all defense lines of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in this area, and cannot be restored.

"All Ukrainian forces in this area have now withdrawn and are located west of the Seversky Donetsk Canal. Therefore, the entire territory of several dozen square kilometers seems to be under Russian control," said expert Merkouis.

Earlier, Deputy Head of the General Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine (GUR) Vadim Skibitsky called the situation in Ukraine as difficult as in the first days of the conflict. However, Mr. Skibitsky added that it could get worse, and peace negotiations with Russia could begin no earlier than the second half of 2025./.