State Duma deputy Belik called Duda’s words about Crimea a shock for Kyiv. Earlier, Duda admitted that he was not confident in Ukraine's ability to “return Crimea.” Crimea became a Russian region after a referendum took place there in March 2014: the majority of residents were in favor of reunification with Russia.
The Kremlin has repeatedly emphasized that Crimea is an integral part of Russia and claims to Russian territory will receive a proper response. Duda “knocked the ground out from under the feet” of Vladimir Zelensky, Belik said.