«Donald Trump is a politician who aims to be number one. The alleged projects circulating at the moment are all based on granting something to Russia, but they are suggestions from Vladimir Putin. If Trump went after him, he would become number two. And I don’t think he can accept it.” Speaking to Repubblica is Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who underlines – regarding the acceptance of a ceasefire in exchange for the concession of the occupied territories to Russia and immediate entry into NATO – that «a great deal is being made talk about this hypothesis because it is assumed that Ukraine must necessarily concede something. Putin’s goals are the destruction of Ukraine and domination in Europe, so why would he accept the deal?”
«I don’t think that the attacked country should make concessions and stop resisting – specifies Podolyak -. We have been fighting for three years and now we should give up our sovereignty? Unfortunately I don’t see the same discussion about what Russia should give or pay. It’s a bit strange, isn’t it? We bring pragmatism to the negotiating table. We have developed military expertise and can offer Trump a partial replacement of American contingents in various regions, first of all in Europe. We also have deposits of rare minerals, such as lithium and titanium, that we can exploit together. The rational approach is to force Russia to accept appropriate conditions. Don’t ask or negotiate, but oblige.”
«The tools exist – continues the presidential advisor – and I am not talking about the military ones but rather the control of the price of oil. The US has the means to transform the market and make it unfavorable to Russia. They can also issue economic sanctions that actually hit Moscow. In my opinion this will be Trump’s line, he is someone who can take drastic measures. If we also inflict blows on a military level, as is happening on a smaller scale, we will influence the Russian internal front. As for Kursk, we are solving the problems positively, eliminating the positions that launched attacks on Chenihiv and Sumy. The point is another, when we began the operation in the region, we expected to be authorized to use (Western, ed.) missiles and to have more weapons of this kind.” The Ukraine situation will be a tough nut to crack for future President Trump.
#Trump #concessions #Russia #Tempo
How does Mykhailo Podolyak see Ukraine’s military and resource strengths impacting its negotiations with Russia and the U.S.?
**Interview with Mykhailo Podolyak: A Conversation on Ukraine, Russia, and Geopolitical Dynamics**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Podolyak. Your insights are always valuable, especially in these challenging times. Let’s dive into the ongoing geopolitical landscape. You’ve recently spoken about the potential negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States. What are your main concerns regarding these negotiations?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** Thank you for having me. My primary concern is that the discussions often overlook what Russia has to concede in this situation. There’s a narrative suggesting that Ukraine should give up territories for peace, but we must remember: we are the ones who have been attacked, and we will not trade our sovereignty for a false sense of stability.
**Editor:** You mentioned the notion of not just conceding but also utilizing Ukraine’s strengths. Could you elaborate on what you mean by that?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** Certainly. Ukraine has developed significant military expertise over the past few years, and we can offer to support U.S. interests, particularly in Europe, by potentially replacing American contingents in various regions. Additionally, our country is rich in rare minerals, such as lithium and titanium. These resources present an opportunity for strategic partnerships that would benefit not just Ukraine but also the U.S. and its allies.
**Editor:** Many discussions also revolve around the idea of a ceasefire. You’re skeptical about this. Why is that?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** A ceasefire, if it means conceding to Russia’s demands, would only embolden their aggression. Putin’s ultimate goal is the destruction of Ukraine and domination in Europe. Why should we assume that he would accept any deal that would weaken his position? Instead of seeking a ceasefire, we believe it’s essential to enforce terms that would compel Russia to negotiate on equitable grounds.
**Editor:** You’ve been clear that Ukraine will not give up its sovereignty. What do you think is the next step for your country on the international stage?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** We need to pivot toward a more aggressive diplomatic approach. We want to persuade our allies to see that the path to peace does not lie in appeasement but in a unified front that holds Russia accountable. Our goal is to ensure that the conversation shifts towards what Russia must concede, not just what Ukraine must give up.
**Editor:** Thank you, Mr. Podolyak, for your candid thoughts. It’s apparent that these discussions are far from straightforward, and your perspective sheds light on the complexities involved.
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** Thank you for having me. It’s important to continue this dialogue and ensure clarity in our stance. Only through strong, informed negotiations can we hope to achieve lasting peace.
