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This year, as Ukraine marks the 34th anniversary of its independence, we do so under the most difficult circumstances in our modern history.
The very fate of our nation is being decided. Russia’s full-scale invasion has now lasted over three years, though in reality the war began back in 2014 with the occupation of Crimea.
Ukraine is confronting a powerful and ruthless enemy, one that respects neither international law nor basic moral principles. Even war has rules: do not target civilians, do not take hostages, and do not force people in occupied territories to fight against their own country. Russia has trampled on all of these norms, weaponizing cruelty as a means of pressure.
And yet, Ukraine has endured. We have preserved our statehood, stabilized our economy, strengthened our defense industry, and maintained the steadfast support of our partners—the United States, the European Union, and the broader democratic world, including our strategic partner Türkiye. Our resilience is itself a victory.
We all want peace. But a “pause” that merely sets the stage for even greater destruction is not peace. True peace cannot be based on compromises that undermine international law. It must be based on justice.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made clear: Ukraine’s territorial integrity is not negotiable. A just peace means the restoration of our 1991 borders—including Crimea and all temporarily occupied territories. It requires the full withdrawal of Russian troops, genuine security guarantees, accountability for war crimes, and Russia’s compensation for the damage it has caused.
If the principle of territorial integrity is abandoned in Ukraine’s case, it will set a dangerous precedent for the entire world. Tomorrow, any other state could fall victim to aggression. This is about more than Ukraine’s survival; it is about European and global security.
The United States has recently sought to open a new diplomatic track. President Donald Trump’s meeting with President Putin in Alaska, followed by talks in Washington with President Zelenskyy and European leaders, reaffirmed the unity of the U.S., Europe, and Ukraine in the pursuit of ending this war.
No one desires peace more than Ukrainians themselves. But peace will only come when Russia abandons its aggression. President Zelenskyy has welcomed a trilateral format of negotiations—Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia—but emphasized that genuine agreements are only possible with the active participation of allies and based on real security guarantees.
Here, Türkiye plays a crucial role. Ankara hosted the first few attempts at dialogue in 2022 and once again in 2025. It co-initiated the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which saved millions of people worldwide from hunger. It closed the straits to Russian warships. It facilitated prisoner exchanges and secured the release of political detainees. And throughout, Türkiye has consistently supported Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Today, Türkiye is even considering, together with other partners, contributing to a peacekeeping mission on Ukrainian territory.
Talks are now underway about building a system of security guarantees for Ukraine: military, financial, and humanitarian assurances from states prepared to shield Ukraine from future Russian aggression. Central to this is the prospect of NATO membership. Ukraine already fulfills the role of defending the Alliance’s eastern flank. Allies increasingly acknowledge that Ukraine is key to regional stability.
Real peace also means more than silence on the frontline. It means the release of prisoners of war, the return of deported civilians, and—most importantly—creating a safe future for our children. That can only be achieved through the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity. And this will come either when Russia abandons its imperial ambitions—or when it is compelled to do so.
This is the central question for the international community. The answer is straightforward, though it requires resolve: unwavering commitment to international law, unity among allies, credible security guarantees for Ukraine, and uncompromising pressure on the aggressor. Russia understands only the language of strength.
Ukraine has already proven that it can halt the invader. By uniting our efforts, the world can force the Kremlin to recalculate, abandon its war, and accept peace. Only global determination and unity will bring Russia’s aggression to an end.
On Aug. 24, as we celebrate Ukraine’s Independence Day, we reflect on the true cost of freedom. Türkiye knows this lesson well. A century ago, under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Turkish people defended their independence—rejecting territorial compromises, enduring great sacrifices, and ultimately triumphing through unity and faith in their cause.
Today, Ukrainians are demonstrating the same determination. Despite immense challenges, Ukraine will prevail. With the unity of our people and the support of our partners—including Türkiye—we will achieve a just peace.
But the key to that peace does not lie in Ukraine’s concessions. It lies in compelling the aggressor to abandon war and occupation. Only then can the world build a peace that is both just and lasting.
About the author: Neriman Celal, born in Crimea in 1980, served as deputy chair of the Crimean Tatar Parliament and was appointed as Ukraine’s ambassador to Ankara by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in December 2024, following his long-standing involvement in the Crimean Tatar civic and political movement
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