As Ukraine faces increasing calls for territorial concessions in order to achieve peace, Inna Sovsun issued a stark warning: Ukrainian law provides no established mechanism that entitles ceded land. Even under pressure, however, no land can be ceded legally under Ukrainian law.
Early this week, Sovsun made clear that Ukraine’s constitutional framework simply did not anticipate or provide for the possibility of giving away territory. She noted: “There is no established legal procedure because, you know, the authors of the constitution didn’t even think about this possibility,” emphasizing governance gaps surrounding such territorial changes. ABC
Ukrayins’ki Natsional’ni Novini (UNN) Yahoo News etc all report similar results.
Constitutional Barriers and Legal Ambiguity
Under Ukraine’s constitution, any changes to its borders must be approved by both parliament and an advisory referendum, but without any legislation or procedural framework to guide this process there exists legal ambiguity which reveals just how unprepared Ukraine’s system is in dealing with existential questions.
Ukraine National Novini (UNN).
This uncertainty comes amid mounting diplomatic pressure, spurred on by suggestions from high-profile figures like former U.S. President Donald Trump to consider land swaps or concessions, particularly in Donbas. Although such ideas might gain support in certain diplomatic circles, they remain highly controversial and legally uncertain. New York Post*
AP News +14 The Guardian.
Political Rejection and Public Outrage
MP Sovsun’s remarks reflect a general political sentiment in Ukraine: both lawmakers and public opinion view any territorial ceding to Russia as unacceptable and unconstitutional; reflecting an almost unanimous opposition to ceding any land even to countries unoccupied by Russian troops. The Times, The Guardian and Ukrayins’ki Natsional’ni Novini (UNN).
+9
Sovsun’s remarks come just ahead of Ukraine preparing to enter into high-stakes diplomatic negotiations in Washington. Now that constitutional obstacles have become abundantly clear, political actors are unlikely to allow any formal or legal transfer of territory despite anything presented “on the table”.
At a Glance Key Issue Details Legal Framework There is no established procedure under Ukrainian law to approve territorial cessions and border changes would require both legislative approval and referendum approval for implementation.
Politics Judetean MPs of Ukraine consistently reject ceding land to Russia
Diplomatic Context As Ukraine prepares for talks amid mounting pressure, rights issues emerge in relation to Ukrainian’s preparation.
Why It Matters
Rule of Law Over Expediency: Sovsun’s warning underscores that Ukraine’s democratic institutions–especially its constitution–must never be altered for short-term political expedience. Without formal legal mechanisms in place, any attempt at ceding land could trigger domestic instability and undermine Kyiv’s leadership legitimacy.
Sovereignty at Stake: With external pressure mounting on Ukraine, acknowledging legal barriers as part of their defense strategy and democratic resilience measures is now more essential than ever.
Diplomatic Implications: Kyiv’s entry into complex international negotiations will be severely limited by this lack of legal clarity, which will limit its options in terms of feasible compromises. External players may propose land swaps but without domestic legal backing such proposals may collapse–or worse yet invite unconstitutional deviations.