“It is impossible. Russia has never and will never discuss the topic of exchanging its territories. Of course, Ukrainian units will be expelled from this territory. All who are not destroyed will be expelled,” the presidential spokesman told reporters this Wednesday.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told The Guardian that he does not rule out an exchange of territories with Russia but did not give details.

Russia has been conducting a special military operation in Ukraine since February 24, 2022, to protect the population from “Kiev’s genocide,” according to President Vladimir Putin.

It also aims to counter national security risks posed by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)’s eastward expansion.

The Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, and the Kherson and Zaporozhye provinces, territories that were part of Ukraine, joined Russia in late September 2022 following self-determination referendums.

ef/iff/mem/gfa