«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 Mykhailo Podolyak propose Ukraine should approach negotiations with Russia?
**Interview with Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to President Zelensky of Ukraine**
**Editor:** Today we have Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to President Zelensky of Ukraine, joining us to discuss the implications of Donald Trump’s recent victory and its potential impact on U.S. support for Ukraine in the ongoing war with Russia. Thank you for being with us, Mr. Podolyak.
**Podolyak:** Thank you for having me.
**Editor:** The election of Donald Trump has raised concerns about a possible reduction in U.S. support for Ukraine. What are your thoughts on this?
**Podolyak:** It’s a serious concern. Trump has expressed views that could lead to a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy towards Ukraine. Currently, we are at a crucial juncture in the war, and any decrease in support could have dire consequences for our defense against Russian aggression.
**Editor:** You mentioned in a recent interview that the discussion around a potential ceasefire and concessions to Russia is troubling. Can you elaborate on your stance?
**Podolyak:** Absolutely. There’s a growing narrative suggesting that Ukraine should concede territories to Russia to achieve peace. I find this perplexing. Russia’s ultimate goal is not merely controlling territories but the destruction of our sovereignty and security in Europe. Why should we negotiate from a place of weakness?
**Editor:** What alternative do you suggest for negotiations, especially considering the ongoing conflict and the sacrifices made by Ukraine?
**Podolyak:** We must maintain our resistance and not entertain losing our sovereignty. Instead, the focus should shift to what Russia is willing to concede. We certainly bring pragmatism to any discussion. Ukraine has developed significant military capabilities and can potentially assist the U.S. in various regions, including Europe. Moreover, we have valuable resources, like rare minerals, that could be of mutual benefit.
**Editor:** So, you advocate for a stronger position for Ukraine in negotiations rather than offering concessions?
**Podolyak:** Exactly. We should aim to obligate Russia to respect appropriate conditions—rather than merely negotiating from a point of vulnerability. This is about maintaining our dignity and sovereignty while ensuring that Russia is held accountable for its actions.
**Editor:** Thank you, Mr. Podolyak. Your insights into the complexities of this situation are invaluable as we navigate these challenging times.
**Podolyak:** Thank you for having me. It’s important that the global community understands our position and supports Ukraine’s quest for sovereignty and stability.
