«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 are Mykhailo Podolyak’s views on the international community’s role in influencing negotiations between Ukraine and Russia?
### Interview with Mykhailo Podolyak: Ukrainian Advisor Discusses Current Geopolitical Tensions
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mykhailo Podolyak. Your insights are vital as we navigate this complex geopolitical landscape. To start, you mentioned that any concessions made by Ukraine should be questioned. Can you elaborate on that?
**Podolyak:** Absolutely. The narrative suggesting that Ukraine should concede territory in exchange for a ceasefire is fundamentally flawed. Russia’s intentions, particularly under Putin, are clear—they seek to dominate Ukraine and extend their influence across Europe. Why would we concede anything when their goal is complete destruction of our sovereignty?
**Interviewer:** You mentioned President Trump’s potential involvement in negotiations. How do you perceive his stance in relation to Ukraine and Russia’s interests?
**Podolyak:** Trump is a politician who always aims to be at the top. Currently, the speculations surrounding potential agreements typically favor Russia, which raises serious concerns. If Trump were to pursue a tougher stance against Putin, he might risk becoming a less influential player himself. Yet, that’s precisely what the situation demands—a strong condemnation of Russian aggression.
**Interviewer:** You also discussed Ukraine’s military capabilities and resources. Can you explain how these could play a role in future negotiations?
**Podolyak:** Certainly. Ukraine has developed considerable military expertise over the past three years. We can contribute to global security efforts, potentially becoming a partial replacement for U.S. military contingents in Europe. Moreover, we have significant deposits of rare minerals such as lithium and titanium that present opportunities for collaboration. Negotiations should focus on making Russia respect international norms rather than asking what Ukraine can give up.
**Interviewer:** It’s intriguing to hear about Ukraine’s readiness to engage from a position of strength. What do you believe is necessary for a successful negotiation?
**Podolyak:** Pragmatism is vital. Ukraine should not be the one making concessions. Instead, the international community must collectively pressure Russia to comply with appropriate conditions. A successful negotiation is one where we don’t just sit and talk; we need to be assertive and demand accountability.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mykhailo Podolyak, for sharing your views. Your perspective on the ongoing conflict and negotiations provides a clearer picture of Ukraine’s determination and resilience.
**Podolyak:** Thank you for having me. It’s essential that we continue to voice our sovereignty and highlight the reality of this struggle on the global stage.
