Ukraine will not recognize any occupied territories as part of Russia under a potential future peace agreement with Moscow, President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists on March 12. "We are fighting for our independence.

A worst-case scenario for Ukraine is that Russia repeats previous demands for “maximalist gains”, demanding cultural and political changes as well as military and territorial wins, according to Neil Melvin, director of international security at defence think-tank Rusi .

Russia continually refuses to make concessions in peace negotiations with Ukraine, which could prolong the war and result in higher casualties.