«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 skills 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 Ukraine plan to leverage its rare mineral resources in discussions with the United States to strengthen its position against Russian aggression?
**Interview with Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to Ukrainian President Zelensky**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Podolyak. In your recent comments, you highlighted the challenges Ukraine faces regarding potential concessions to Russia. Can you elaborate on why you believe Ukraine should not concede any territory?
**Podolyak**: Thank you for having me. The core issue here is sovereignty. Ukraine has been engaged in a fight for its independence and territorial integrity for three years. The idea that we should simply give up parts of our nation in exchange for peace is fundamentally flawed. We cannot reward aggression against our country. If we concede, we only encourage further encroachments, jeopardizing not just Ukraine, but also the stability of Europe.
**Editor**: You mentioned the potential for a negotiation that does not involve concessions from Ukraine. What does that look like in practical terms?
**Podolyak**: We advocate for a pragmatic approach—Russia needs to be held accountable for its actions. Rather than continuing discussions around what Ukraine must give, we should shift the focus to what Russia should concede, especially in terms of reparations and respect for international law. Ukraine has developed significant military capabilities and has valuable resources. For example, we can collaborate with the U.S. and offer a replacement for American forces in certain regions, which may align with their strategic interests.
**Editor**: Given the complex nature of global politics, particularly with figures like Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin involved, how do you view the role of the United States in these negotiations?
**Podolyak**: The U.S. plays a crucial role. There are underlying dynamics in the way these leaders operate, and it is essential for the U.S. to support a firm stance against any attempts from Putin to manipulate the situation. If Trump, or any leader, looks to negotiate from a place of strength, they should recognize that the preservation of Ukrainian sovereignty is paramount to global stability.
**Editor**: You mentioned offering the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare minerals as part of a collaborative strategy. Can you tell us more about this aspect?
**Podolyak**: Absolutely. Ukraine is rich in valuable resources such as lithium and titanium, which are critical for various technologies and industries. By developing these resources together with American partners, we can build a strong economic relationship. This offers the U.S. both strategic advantages and a compelling reason to support Ukraine in standing firm against Russian aggression.
**Editor**: Thank you for your insights, Mr. Podolyak. It’s clear that the path to peace involves not just negotiations but a firm stance against aggression.
**Podolyak**: Thank you for shedding light on these important issues. We remain committed to defending our sovereignty and ensuring a stable future for Ukraine and Europe.