«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 the implications of President Zelensky’s comments on a potential Trump presidency for Ukraine’s international relations?
**Interview with Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky**
**Host**: Thank you for joining us, Mr. Podolyak. Recently, President Zelensky suggested that the Ukraine war might end “faster” under a Trump presidency. How do you interpret his remarks?
**Podolyak**: Thank you for having me. President Zelensky’s statement reflects a belief that a shift in U.S. leadership could potentially alter the dynamics of international support for Ukraine. However, I must stress that any peace process must acknowledge the reality of Russia’s intentions, which have not changed: their goal is the destruction of Ukraine and dominance in Europe.
**Host**: You mentioned Russia’s continued aggression. Is there any scenario in which Ukraine would consider concessions to end the war?
**Podolyak**: Concessions would imply that Ukraine should yield its sovereignty after three years of resistance—something we cannot accept. Discussions seem one-sided when they focus on what Ukraine should give up without addressing what Russia must concede. Our stance remains clear: we will not negotiate from a position of weakness.
**Host**: In light of this, what do you believe the international community should demand from Russia?
**Podolyak**: The international community must adopt a rational approach, one that obliges Russia to accept terms that respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is critical that while we bring pragmatism to the negotiating table, we also highlight Russia’s responsibility in this conflict.
**Host**: You hinted at potential contributions Ukraine could make to the U.S. military strategy. Can you elaborate on this?
**Podolyak**: Certainly. Ukraine has developed considerable military expertise and can play a vital role in bolstering U.S. interests, particularly in Europe. Furthermore, we have significant deposits of rare minerals like lithium and titanium. A strategic partnership could yield mutual benefits while ensuring that we leverage our resources effectively in this global struggle.
**Host**: Thank you, Mr. Podolyak, for sharing your insights on this critical issue. It’s clear that the path to peace is complex and fraught with challenges.
**Podolyak**: Thank you for having me. We remain committed to our sovereignty and will continue to fight for our nation’s future.
