First Foreign Head of State Speech in Parliament Since Ukraine War
Refuting Compromise Proposals Raised by Italy and Some EU Members
On the 22nd (local time), Polish President Andrzej Duda visited the Ukrainian parliament in Kyiv and delivered a speech. This is the first time a foreign head of state has spoken directly at the Ukrainian parliament since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Kyiv (Ukraine) = EPA·Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Polish President Andrzej Duda made a direct visit to the Ukrainian parliament and delivered a speech emphasizing that Ukraine must not succumb to Russia's demands. This statement is interpreted as a warning against the compromise theory that has emerged both inside and outside Ukraine, suggesting that Ukraine should negotiate with Russia even if it means giving up part of its territory.
According to AFP on the 22nd (local time), President Duda made a surprise visit to Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, without prior notice and delivered a speech at the Ukrainian parliament. President Duda said, "There are voices saying that Ukraine must yield to Putin's demands, but Ukraine's future should be decided only by Ukraine," adding, "Not even 1cm of Ukrainian territory should be given to Russia. If such a thing happens for political or economic reasons, it will cause a great shock to the entire West."
President Duda's strong remarks came shortly after reports that some parts of the European Union (EU), centered on Italy, are urging Ukraine to give up some territory and push for an immediate ceasefire negotiation with Russia.
Earlier that day, according to the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, the Italian government submitted a 'Ukraine Peace Plan' to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the 20th, which included Ukraine declaring neutrality according to Russia's demands and granting autonomy to the Crimea Peninsula and Donbas region occupied by Russia.
The Ukrainian government also clearly opposed any compromise with Russia. Mykhailo Podolyak, head of the Ukrainian peace negotiation team, stated in an interview with major foreign media, "Negotiations for a ceasefire will be suspended for the time being until Russian troops completely withdraw from our territory," and drew a line by saying, "It is difficult to understand the immediate ceasefire demands being raised by some."
Meanwhile, Russian forces resumed a large-scale offensive on the western Luhansk region of Donbas and the Black Sea coastal city of Mykolaiv on the same day. According to CNN, Russian forces destroyed a bridge between Severodonetsk and Lysychansk in western Luhansk, which CNN reported appears to be an attempt to cut off weapons supplies to the Donbas region.
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