«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
How can Ukraine leverage its military expertise and natural resources in international negotiations to strengthen its position?
**Interview with Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to Ukrainian President Zelensky**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Mykhailo. You recently spoke about the ongoing conflict and negotiations with Russia. Can you elaborate on your concerns regarding the idea of Ukraine conceding territory for peace?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** Thank you for having me. Indeed, the idea of trading occupied territories for a ceasefire is troubling. It assumes that Ukraine should bear the burden of concessions, while there’s little discussion about what Russia should give up. Vladimir Putin’s ultimate goal is to destroy Ukraine and exert dominance over Europe. So, why would we think he would accept a deal that compromises his ambitions?
**Editor:** You mentioned the misunderstanding around concessions. How do you feel about the international narrative that seems to imply Ukraine should negotiate from a weaker position?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** It’s quite perplexing. The narrative often ignores the fact that Ukraine has been resisting aggression for three years now. Why should we be the ones making concessions? If we accept this line of thought, we effectively endorse the notion that the aggressor has the upper hand, which is fundamentally unjust.
**Editor:** In your comments, you also touched on military partnerships and resources that Ukraine could offer. Can you explain that further?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** Certainly. We are not just victims in this scenario. Ukraine has developed significant military expertise during this conflict, which can be beneficial for international security, especially in regions like Europe. Moreover, we have valuable natural resources like lithium and titanium. Collaborating on these fronts could create a new dynamic in the negotiations, one that doesn’t just ask for a ceasefire but obliges Russia to adhere to terms that enforce proper conditions for lasting peace.
**Editor:** what message do you have for world leaders regarding negotiating strategies with Russia?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** My message is clear: negotiation should not imply submission. It should be about ensuring accountability and demands on the aggressor. We need to bring pragmatism to the table, forcing Russia to accept fair and just terms that reflect the reality of international law and human rights. We cannot simply demand less of those who are attacking our sovereignty.
**Editor:** Thank you, Mykhailo, for sharing your insights on this critical issue. It’s vital to keep the dialogue focused on justice and accountability as discussions continue.
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** Thank you for having me. It’s essential that we maintain these conversations.