Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine Brigadier General Oleksandr Pivnenko said in an interview with BBC that victory for Ukraine ultimately means regaining its territories, even if it takes decades.
According to Pivnenko, from a military perspective, victory is the return of Ukrainian territories, even if it may take many years to achieve. At the same time, he stressed that the current priority is the country’s survival and a possible ceasefire.
The general said that reclaiming territories remains a strategic goal of the Ukrainian government and society. Asked whether Ukraine is ready to concede territories, Pivnenko said this is “impossible at this time.”
He added that a ceasefire along the line of contact is a scenario that could be considered, but “no one will give up territories.” At the same time, he emphasized that if there were a corresponding order from the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the Ukrainian military would carry it out.
Oleksandr Pivnenko has commanded the National Guard of Ukraine since July 2023. Previously, he led the Eastern Territorial Directorate of the National Guard and took part in battles near Kharkiv and in Bakhmut.