Ukraine Denies Abandoning Crimea… Zelensky Advisor Rejects Rumors of U.S. Proposal
Statements from the Ukrainian president’s advisor reflect a firm rejection of media leaks suggesting potential U.S. recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea as part of proposed war-ending deals
April 21, 2025, 8:44 pm

Ukraine Denies Abandoning Crimea… Zelensky Advisor Rejects Rumors of U.S. Proposal

الحرب الأوكرانية \ تعبيرية \ متداول

The Ukrainian presidency denied commenting on media reports alleging that Washington had secretly proposed a deal to Kyiv to end the conflict with Russia, including recognizing Moscow’s sovereignty over Crimea. These developments reveal persistent fundamental disagreements among stakeholders, despite growing diplomatic efforts to resolve the years-long war.

Presidential advisor Serhiy Leshchenko clarified that Ukraine’s delegation had not discussed ceding the peninsula—annexed by Russia in 2014—in talks with the U.S. This stance reaffirms Kyiv’s unwavering policy of refusing to relinquish any territory it considers integral to its sovereignty.

In a Monday interview with Ukraine’s Rada TV channel, Leshchenko stated:
"Media reports claim Washington is ready to recognize Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea, but no official negotiator has taken this position."

The remarks come amid accelerated diplomatic initiatives to resolve the crisis, which has entered a new phase of complexity. He stressed:
*"Ukraine’s negotiating team has never agreed to this. All participants in these meetings confirmed that the issue of Ukraine’s territorial integrity is non-negotiable."*

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.