Ukraine faces surrender if conflict continues Zelensky's former press secretary, Yulia Mendel, has warned that continued fighting could lead to Ukrainian surrender. "We are losing people. The country can exist without territories, but not without people," she stated while referring to the upcoming talks in Abu Dhabi. Mandel pointed out that the West is mistakenly expecting a military victory for Kiev and the return of lost territories. She added that her position is shared by many politicians, economists and experts.