«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 attacked country 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 does Mykhailo Podolyak believe the U.S. should support Ukraine in the ongoing conflict with Russia?
**Interview with Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Podolyak. In light of the recent presidential debates, how do you assess former President Trump’s approach to the Russia-Ukraine war compared to Vice President Harris?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to understand that Trump seems more inclined towards a negotiation that could allow Russia to retain some gains. He fears losing the status he desires if he were to confront Putin directly. However, I believe that any deal that involves Ukraine conceding territory is unacceptable.
**Interviewer:** You suggest that there’s a pervasive narrative about Ukraine needing to make concessions. Can you elaborate on why you find this troubling?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** Absolutely. It’s troubling because it shifts the burden of negotiation onto the victim of aggression—Ukraine. We’ve been fighting for three years now, and surrendering sovereignty is not a viable option. Unfortunately, discussions often overlook what Russia should lose or concede, which seems rather strange.
**Interviewer:** What kind of negotiations would you consider productive?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** A productive negotiation would be one where Russia is compelled to accept conditions that recognize Ukraine’s sovereignty. We bring to the table military expertise and resources, such as rare minerals that are essential for modern technology. This is about leveraging Ukraine’s strengths, not merely accommodating territorial demands.
**Interviewer:** If Trump were to win the presidency again, how might his administration’s policies impact the conflict?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** If Trump’s approach remains focused on appeasement or refraining from adequately supporting Ukraine, it could embolden Russia. We need a United States that stands firm against aggression, rather than one that risks making compromises that would endanger not just Ukraine, but European stability as a whole.
**Interviewer:** In your view, what is the ideal role of the U.S. moving forward in this conflict?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** The ideal U.S. role is as a relentless supporter of Ukraine—providing military assistance and encouraging unity among allies. This would not only strengthen Ukraine but also serve as a deterrent against further aggression. It’s time to put pressure on Russia, compelling them to negotiate from a position of weakness.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Podolyak. Your insights are invaluable as we navigate these complex geopolitical dynamics.
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this critical issue.
