During the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict, reports about possible “territorial concessions” discussed at the Geneva negotiations have become one of the most debated topics on the international agenda. Claims that the U.S. peace plan may include Ukraine giving up control over certain occupied regions in exchange for security guarantees and economic assistance have caused concern across the region. In particular, the question “Can Russia get the world to recognize the territories it has occupied?” has sparked intense political debate.
Speaking to ARB24 Television, political analyst Ahmad Shahidov stated that under international law, it is impossible for Russia to legally acquire any Ukrainian territory, and the vast majority of world nations would never approve such recognition. According to Shahidov, the U.S.-proposed peace framework does not change this reality: the document does not offer legal “recognition,” but rather a softened approach that describes the situation as a “de-facto reality.” This, he emphasized, does not legitimize territorial loss in any legal sense. He added that Russia may try to maintain “de-facto control” over the occupied regions, but these lands will not appear in international legal documents as part of the Russian Federation.
Ahmad Shahidov further noted that Ukraine’s territorial integrity is guaranteed by core UN principles, and no major global power is prepared to violate those norms. He stressed that the outcome of the Geneva talks will shape Ukraine’s future security architecture, and that Kyiv’s most important priority is not only the preservation of its territory but also the protection of its sovereign decision-making rights. Shahidov concluded by saying that the next phase of negotiations will be critical for the region and that the terms under which peace may be achieved will become clearer in the coming days.
