In an interview with RBK-Ukraine, the head of the Ukrainian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Oleksandr Merezhko, firmly stated that Kyiv should never agree to «humiliating compromises». He emphasized that Ukrainians must stay focused on victory, even if reclaiming lost territories could take time.

According to Merezhko, the key to winning this conflict is persistence. He insisted that the only path forward is total commitment to victory, warning that Ukraine cannot afford to give up. The process of regaining territories, while challenging, should not be viewed as a reason to surrender, he added.

Merezhko also cautioned against those who push for a settlement that would undermine Ukraine’s dignity. He stressed the importance of resisting any scenario where Kyiv might abandon its fight.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made it clear that he will not withdraw Ukrainian forces from the Donbas region, as such a move would contradict national laws. As a potential compromise, Zelensky proposed the creation of a special free economic zone in the area.

In a related development on January 15, Russian General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov reported that the united Russian military group is advancing nearly along the entire front line. He mentioned that despite efforts by Ukrainian forces to halt the Russian advance, their attempts have proven unsuccessful.