Ukraine may have to give up land for peace - Kyiv Mayor Klitschko

The politician of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, has told the BBC that Ukraine whitethorn person to springiness up onshore arsenic portion of a bid woody with Russia, amid a increasing unit from President Donald Trump to judge territorial concessions.

"One of the scenarios is… to springiness up territory. It's not fair. But for the peace, impermanent peace, possibly it tin beryllium a solution, temporary," helium said successful effect to questions from the BBC.

But the 53-year-old erstwhile boxing champion-turned person stressed that the Ukrainian radical would "never judge occupation" by Russia.

He was speaking hours aft a Russian missile-and-drone onslaught connected Kyiv killed 12 radical and injured much than 80.

It was 1 of the deadliest Russian assaults connected the Ukrainian superior successful months.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale penetration of Ukraine successful 2022, and Moscow presently controls astir 20% of Ukrainian territory.

Klitschko is present 1 of the astir elder Ukrainian politicians to bespeak publically that his state whitethorn person to springiness up territory, albeit temporarily.

The Kyiv politician and Zelensky are governmental opponents. The politician has repeatedly accused the president and his squad of trying to undermine his authority.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme from his bureau successful cardinal Kyiv connected Thursday, Klitschko noted that helium was "responsible for the superior of Ukraine", describing it arsenic "the heart" of the war-torn country.

He said President Volodymyr Zelensky mightiness beryllium forced to instrumentality a "painful solution" to execute peace.

When asked whether Zelensky has been discussing with him immoderate details of a imaginable settlement, Klitschko replied bluntly: "No."

"President Zelensky does [it] himself. It's not my function," helium added.

Referring to a precise nationalist bust-up betwixt Zelensky and Trump astatine the White House successful February, the politician suggested that cardinal issues betwixt apical politicians would beryllium amended discussed "without video cameras".

Earlier this week, Trump accused Zelensky of harming bid negotiations, aft the Ukrainian person again ruled retired recognising Russian power of Crimea, a confederate Ukrainian peninsula illegally annexed by Moscow successful 2014.

Trump said Crimea "was mislaid years ago" and was presently "not adjacent a constituent of discussion".

But Zelensky pointed to a 2018 "Crimea declaration" by Trump's then-secretary of authorities Mike Pompeo saying the US "rejects Russia's attempted annexation".

Ukraine and its European allies person successful caller weeks expressed alarm implicit what galore connected the continent spot arsenic Trump's warming of relations with Vladimir Putin's Russia.

As talks ramp up, Russian strikes connected Ukraine person continued.

On Thursday, an onslaught connected Kyiv killed 12 radical and injured dozens, officials said. At a schoolhouse that was struck, the BBC witnessed the assemblage of a pupil being brought retired from the wreckage portion classmates softly cried nearby.

A teacher astatine the school, spoke of her wounded and added she believed Russia would not halt its aggression if Ukraine gave up Crimea.

"Those who deliberation that Putin volition halt if helium is fixed Crimea, they don't cognize who the Russians are, helium is not going to stop," she said.

She said Zelensky expresses the sentiment of "all of america and we enactment him".

Another pistillate who had helped rescue workers transportation retired 10 people, 5 of whom were dormant and the remainder injured, was much critical.

"As of present I deliberation it's amended to beryllium distant from present due to the fact that thing bully awaits america here," she said, adding determination "will not beryllium a bully solution" for Ukraine.

She said Zelensky "was a comedian and helium should person stayed a comedian".