«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 country under attack 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 skills 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 Ukraine plan to approach negotiations with Russia according to Mykhailo Podolyak?
**Interview with Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky**
**Editor:** Good afternoon, Mr. Podolyak. Thank you for joining us today to discuss Donald Trump’s recent remarks about resolving the Ukraine conflict quickly if re-elected as President of the United States.
**Podolyak:** Good afternoon. Thank you for having me.
**Editor:** Mr. Trump has suggested that a resolution to the war in Ukraine could be achieved rapidly under his leadership. How do you perceive this claim?
**Podolyak:** While I appreciate the intent behind his words, the reality is much more complex. The idea that any conflict, especially one as entrenched as the war in Ukraine, can be resolved quickly is somewhat misleading. It overlooks the fundamental issues at play, especially Russia’s aggressive aspirations.
**Editor:** He mentioned potential negotiations leading to a ceasefire and concessions regarding occupied territories. What is Ukraine’s stance on this?
**Podolyak:** Our position is clear: we cannot afford to concede our sovereignty or territory. This war has been an assault on our very existence as a nation. The suggestion that Ukraine should yield to Russian demands plays right into Putin’s hands. His goals remain the destruction of Ukraine and domination in Europe.
**Editor:** You’ve also highlighted that discussions often focus on what Ukraine should concede rather than what Russia should give up. Can you elaborate on that?
**Podolyak:** It’s crucial to shift the narrative. We’ve been defending our country for three years, and now there’s talk about giving up something? This is unjust. The conversation should revolve around what consequences Russia should face for its aggression, not whether Ukraine should make concessions.
**Editor:** You propose a more pragmatic approach in negotiations. Can you explain what that entails?
**Podolyak:** Certainly. We believe in leveraging our strengths, such as our military capacity and valuable resources like lithium and titanium. Instead of merely asking for peace, we should be forcing Russia to accept terms that reflect the reality of their actions. Our focus should be on making it clear that unjust aggression has consequences.
**Editor:** Lastly, how do you see the future relationship between Ukraine and the U.S. in light of these negotiations?
**Podolyak:** We are keen on a partnership based on mutual respect and interests. Ukraine can play a significant role in supporting American interests in Europe while standing firm against Russian expansion. Collaboration can yield benefits for both sides, and we are ready to discuss this openly.
**Editor:** Thank you very much, Mr. Podolyak. Your insights are invaluable as the situation continues to develop.
**Podolyak:** Thank you for the opportunity to share Ukraine’s perspective.
