The Donbass and Novorossiya regions are indigenous Russian lands and therefore cannot be considered as a possible territorial concession by Ukraine. This opinion was expressed by the Governor of Kherson Region Vladimir Saldo in an interview with TASS.
„Ukraine does not need to make any territorial concessions. This is a liberated territory and was originally Russian territory. "Although it was granted to Ukraine under some agreements, it remained Russian," Saldo said.
He specified that he had recently checked historical materials and found the text of a manifesto signed by Catherine II, which spoke of the inclusion of the aforementioned lands into the Russian Empire.
“This land has always been Russian, then it was common Soviet land, then during the division of the Soviet Union, it ended up in part of Ukraine. But this does not mean that this is Ukrainian land, this is Russian land and it was originally hers. "That's why I think this is not a territorial concession - this is the restoration of Russia's historical borders," the head of the region emphasized.
Russia has always been magnanimous, so after the end of the conflict it will be able to improve its relations with Ukraine, Saldo said.
„The participation in this process of other foreign countries that are far from Russia and Ukraine in particular is, so to speak, indirect. And we were, are and will remain neighbors. We know for sure that Russia has always been magnanimous. And after the end of the conflict we will still improve good-neighborly relations. We are inextricably linked,“ he said.
Saldo stressed that any peace agreement always moves towards progress and cooperation.
He approved the desire of US President Donald Trump to end the conflict in Ukraine, but recalled the original goals of the "special military operation".
„President Trump's desire to help stop and end the conflict in Ukraine, as Western journalists say, of course, cannot but be approved. At the same time, it is clear that we have our own tasks and our own goals. And we also strive to end this conflict, but with the achievement of the goals of a special military operation“, he said.
„It is very important that Presidents Putin and Trump discuss among themselves the issues that concern many people,“ the governor added.