'Risky To Leave Crimea In Russia's Hands': Kurt Volker Says Ukraine Must Fight For Lost Territories

Former United States Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations, Kurt Volker, urged Ukraine to "fight for the return" of the territories it has lost to Russia, including Crimea.

"Ukraine has to return all the occupied territories, including Crimea. Five years ago, we could say that Russia had no interest in Donbas. That's why it would be easier to return it. Getting Crimea back would take a longer period. The war has broken all those talks. Everything is on the table. Putin will not lose his imperial appetite. It is too risky to leave Crimea in Russia's hands," Volker said in an interview with European Pravda.

Volker recalled what Russian President Vladimir Putin had said about the war not ending until a so-called "denazification and demilitarization" of Ukraine occurred.

"Two weeks ago, Lavrov repeated these words. This is Russia's position. There is no room for a compromise. Ukraine will never accept that Russia will take it over. And so, you have to fight for the return of your territories. And get Putin and Russia to accept that they will have to live on its territory," Volker said.

Meanwhile, he also suggested Ukraine needs to work out a proactive strategy to better counter Russian hybrid actions, which are currently beyond global focus.

"First of all I would like to say that you are exactly right (Russian hybrid activities are out of focus and we need to counter them in parallel lines - ed.). Russia has a full-spectrum concept of war," Volker said, according to Ukrinform.

Not only Ukraine, but its Western allies and partners must also come up with their own strategy, and think "across the full spectrum" as well.

"I don't think that our mind is in this mode yet, but this is what we need to do," Volker said. When asked if the countering of Russian hybrid operations should be expanded, Volker said that: "I wouldn't go chasing every rabbit down every hole."

"I would think instead strategically – what is it that matters and how do we have our own proactive strategy to advance that," he added.

Volker also said the war started by Russia and its development showed being a neutral or non-aligned country in Europe could be dangerous.

"This is also evidenced by the decisions of Finland and Sweden about joining NATO. It is unacceptable that after the end of the war, we lose the gray areas, regarding which Russia feels that she can attack them again. Therefore, after the end of the war, we have to return to this issue – and Ukraine must become a member of NATO," he said.

The war in Ukraine has been ongoing since Feb. 24.