'These are red lines for us': Zelensky responds to U.S. envoy's statement that potential peace deal could involve 'five territories'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded sharply to U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff's comment that a potential peace deal with Russia could involve "five territories." Noting that Ukraine is a sovereign country, Zelensky said that only Ukrainians have the right to speak about the country’s territories.

“These are red lines for us — recognizing any temporarily occupied territories as anything other than Ukrainian is unacceptable,” Zelensky said during a press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Odesa. “Once again, the representatives involved are discussing issues beyond their authority.”