«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 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
What implications could Trump’s potential concessions to Russia have on Ukraine’s sovereignty and its ongoing conflict with Russia?
**Interview with Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to Ukrainian President Zelensky**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mykhailo. You recently expressed strong views on the dynamics between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Can you elaborate on your concerns regarding Trump’s potential concessions to Russia?
**Podolyak:** Thank you for having me. My main concern is that Trump’s political ambitions could lead him to make decisions that might not align with Ukraine’s sovereignty. The suggestions circulating about negotiating a ceasefire in exchange for territory are not just unreasonable—they could essentially play into Putin’s hands. We must remember that Putin’s primary goal is Ukraine’s destruction and the establishment of dominance in Europe. Why would he agree to any deal that limits his ambitions?
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the idea of Ukraine having to concede something in negotiations. What are your thoughts on that?
**Podolyak:** I fundamentally believe that a country under attack should not be in a position to concede, particularly when we’ve been resisting for three years. It seems odd that the conversation often revolves around what Ukraine should give up, while little is discussed about what Russia should face in return for its aggression.
**Interviewer:** In light of this, how do you see the role of negotiation evolving? What approach do you advocate?
**Podolyak:** Pragmatism is essential. We’ve developed significant military expertise that can contribute to global security. For instance, we could offer partial replacements for American contingents in Europe, given our position and resources. Additionally, we have rare mineral deposits, like lithium and titanium, that could be mutually beneficial. The goal should not be to sweeten the deal for Russia but rather to impose conditions that compel them to reconsider their aggressive stance.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what do you view as the ultimate objective for Ukraine in this ongoing conflict?
**Podolyak:** Our objective is clear: to secure our sovereignty and ensure that Ukraine remains a free and independent nation. We must resist any temptation to compromise that would enable further Russian expansion. Our resilience over the last three years proves that we will not back down in the face of aggression.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mykhailo, for sharing your insights. Your perspective is crucial as we navigate these complex international dynamics.
**Podolyak:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these important issues.