Kyiv, Ukraine – November 27, 2025. Ukrainian officials confirmed this week that amending the nation’s Constitution remains a firm “red line” and will not be considered under any future peace settlement aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict. This uncompromising stance, relayed by a member of Kyiv’s negotiating delegation involved in complex discussions with the United States, Russia, and other international partners, underscores Ukraine’s commitment to maintaining its territorial sovereignty amidst evolving diplomatic proposals.
Setting the Ukrainian Negotiation Boundaries
Oleksandr Bevz, an adviser to the head of the Presidential Office, confirmed that Ukraine refuses to implement constitutional alterations or accept any form of recognition that undermines national independence. Speaking on the country’s non-negotiable positions, Bevz clearly stated, “We have stated that Ukraine will not accept any form of recognition and Ukraine will not make any changes to the Constitution — these are red lines,” according to reports from Interfax-Ukraine.
This announcement provides critical clarity regarding Ukraine’s objectives as international efforts seek a lasting resolution. The steadfast rejection of constitutional changes signals that Kyiv is unwilling to alter its fundamental structure to accommodate external demands, particularly those that might formalize territorial losses or diminish central authority.
Furthermore, Bevz outlined Kyiv’s principles for addressing complex territorial questions. He indicated that negotiations must be anchored by the current contact lines as a starting point. Crucially, he emphasized that these sensitive territorial matters must be reserved for resolution at the highest level, involving national leaders directly.
Progress on the US Peace Framework
While setting strict limits on domestic structural changes, Ukraine’s diplomatic teams have indicated measurable progress on international peace initiatives.
Andriy Yermak, the head of the Presidential Office, noted that Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators have established an agreement in principle on the majority of aspects within Washington’s latest proposed peace framework. This framework, which began as an extensive 28-point outline, has undergone substantial revisions to better align with current realities and Kyiv’s strategic demands.
President Volodymyr Zelensky echoed this sentiment earlier in the week, suggesting that the newly updated plan holds significant potential for developing into “deeper agreements,” indicating a cooperative working relationship with international mediators even as core sovereignty issues remain non-negotiable.
Implications for Diplomatic Efforts
The formal declaration that constitutional amendments are off-limits streamlines the negotiation process by removing a potentially contentious structural component that opponents might have leveraged to gain concessions. For observers, this signals that Kyiv is prioritizing political and territorial integrity above quick-fix diplomatic solutions.
The commitment to negotiating based on current contact lines reflects an effort to manage expectations regarding a possible immediate return to internationally recognized 1991 borders via peaceful agreement, while maintaining the long-term goal of total territorial restoration. Moving forward, diplomatic focus will now center on security guarantees, withdrawal mechanisms, and economic reconstruction models that do not require internal political upheaval within Ukraine.