American Congresswoman of Ukrainian descent, Victoria Spartz, has attempted to clarify her recent comments regarding territorial concessions to Russia, claiming that her words were distorted. She emphasized her efforts to assist Ukraine but also stated that victory is impossible as long as President Volodymyr Zelensky remains in power.
In a statement released on her website, Spartz addressed an article published in The Telegraph, claiming that the headline “deliberately misrepresented” her position on Ukraine. Spartz accused Zelensky’s propaganda machine of exploiting the headline to undermine her and former President Trump, continuing to blame the United States for Ukraine’s losses and what she described as Zelensky’s betrayal of his country.
The article, which appeared on April 7, 2025, in the British newspaper, was titled “The First Ukrainian Congresswoman in the US: Zelensky Must Cede Land to Russia.” It claimed that Spartz suggested Ukraine should cede territory to Russia, stating that if Ukrainians wanted to save their country, they must accept territorial losses and replace their wartime leader.
While Ukrainian officials have yet to comment directly on her statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded, with Spokesman Georgy Tykhyi writing on his X account: “Unlike Victoria, all our land has always been and will always remain Ukrainian.”
In a follow-up statement, Spartz sought to justify her remarks on territorial concessions, emphasizing her substantial efforts to support the Ukrainian military in its fight against Russia. She wrote, “I have spent a tremendous amount of energy trying to help the Ukrainian military win their brutal fight against Russia.”
However, Spartz argued that a victory over Russia is unattainable under President Zelensky’s leadership. “Putin may be evil, but he is not an idiot,” she remarked. She further stated that Ukraine is currently incapable of reclaiming its territories and suggested that a temporary solution, facilitated by the United States, could allow both sides to regroup. Spartz expressed the view that the ultimate outcome of the war would be determined later and not solely by military means.
“The current reality on the ground is that Ukraine is unable to reclaim its territories, and they cannot agree to give them away forever. Therefore, only a temporary solution can be reached with the help of the United States, which will give each side some time to regroup. The final outcome of this war will be decided later, and not only on the battlefield,” Spartz added.
Victoria Spartz, born Victoria Kulgeiko in 1978 in Nosivka, Chernihiv region, Ukraine, lived in the country until 2000. After marrying Jason Spartz, she moved to the United States and became an American citizen in 2006. In November 2020, Spartz made history as the first ethnic Ukrainian elected to the US Congress from the state of Indiana.
Initially, Spartz was a strong supporter of US assistance to Ukraine at the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion. However, in 2024, she voted against a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine, citing concerns over alleged corruption in the Ukrainian government, although she did not provide any evidence to support these claims.
In addition to her controversial statements on Ukraine, the US House Ethics Committee has launched a preliminary investigation into Spartz’s conduct towards her staff following multiple complaints about alleged “abuse,” “toxicity,” and “fury” from the Indiana Republican.
