Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has acknowledged a growing war-weariness within Ukraine, alongside a perceived necessity for a negotiated resolution to the ongoing conflict with Russia. Speaking to Bild in Kyiv on Friday, Klitschko stated that “everyone in our state, in our country is tired of this war.
He emphasized the significant cost of the conflict, noting the loss of lives – “patriots, our soldiers, our citizens” – and the widespread destruction of Ukrainian cities, with a substantial portion of the country currently under Russian occupation.
Consequently, the former boxing champion advocated for a diplomatic solution. When questioned about potential territorial concessions, Klitschko indicated that such possibilities were not off the table, though he deemed it “too early to talk about” specific Russian demands.
He clarified that determining such concessions falls outside his remit, placing the responsibility firmly with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who, Klitschko stated, “must make difficult decisions”. He also acknowledged the sensitive domestic implications of any potential territorial adjustments, noting that “a part of the people will never be ready to give up part of our country to Russia”.