«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 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’m 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 alternatives for U.S.-Ukraine relations do you envision that would avoid territorial concessions while promoting mutual interests?
**Interview with Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky**
**Editor:** Welcome, Mykhailo Podolyak. Thank you for joining us today. In light of Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House, what are your initial thoughts on how this might affect U.S. foreign policy towards Ukraine?
**Podolyak:** Thank you for having me. Trump’s return could mean significant changes. Historically, Trump has expressed a willingness to negotiate with Russia, which raises concerns for us. The discussions around potential ceasefires often imply that Ukraine should concede to Russian demands, but we must remember that Russia’s objective is ultimately the destruction of our nation.
**Editor:** You mentioned the issue of concessions. Can you elaborate on why you believe Ukraine shouldn’t concede any territory?
**Podolyak:** Absolutely. For three years, we have faced aggression and fought valiantly for our sovereignty. The idea that we, as the attacked country, should make concessions is fundamentally flawed. It’s crucial to shift the narrative—what is Russia prepared to give up? Their ambitions are not just about Ukraine; they aim for dominance in Europe, so any deal that doesn’t consider our conditions is inherently unjust.
**Editor:** What alternatives do you see for negotiations that could benefit Ukraine while also engaging with the U.S. under Trump?
**Podolyak:** We advocate for a pragmatic approach. Instead of making concessions, we can offer to support U.S. military presence in Europe, potentially replacing some American contingents if that would be advantageous for both sides. Additionally, Ukraine sits on vast reserves of rare minerals, like lithium and titanium, which we could explore together. This could foster partnerships that align with both U.S. interests and our national security.
**Editor:** In a potential Trump administration, what is the single most important message you would like to convey regarding Ukraine’s stance?
**Podolyak:** The key message is clear: we will not stop fighting for our rights and sovereignty. We are not asking for mercy; we are demanding respect and support in standing firm against an aggressor. Our negotiation should not be about concessions but about compelling Russia to accept terms that respect international law and Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
**Editor:** Thank you, Mykhailo, for sharing your insights. It’s clear that Ukraine is committed to asserting its sovereignty and navigating the complexities of international relations with resilience.
**Podolyak:** Thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of Ukraine. We appreciate the global support and remain hopeful for a future of peace and stability in our region.
