«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 does Mykhailo Podolyak propose to leverage Ukraine’s military capabilities and natural resources in the context of diplomatic discussions?
**Interview with Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to Ukrainian President Zelensky**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Podolyak. In your recent statements, you addressed concerns over potential negotiations involving Ukraine and Russia. Can you elaborate on your position regarding these discussions?
**Podolyak:** Thank you for having me. My stance is clear: Ukraine should not entertain the idea of making concessions to Russia while under attack. We’ve been fighting for our sovereignty for three years now, and it is crucial to emphasize that we should not give up our territory or rights.
**Editor:** You mentioned that there’s a lot of talk about Ukraine giving up something in these discussions. Why do you believe these narratives are problematic?
**Podolyak:** It’s fundamentally problematic because it suggests that Ukraine must concede to the aggressor. While there’s a great focus on what Ukraine might give, there’s little discussion about what Russia should pay or give in return for its acts of aggression. This imbalance is unacceptable.
**Editor:** You referenced a pragmatic approach to negotiations. Can you explain what that entails from Ukraine’s perspective?
**Podolyak:** Absolutely. We believe in bringing pragmatism to the table. For instance, we have developed significant military capabilities and could offer to partially replace American contingents in Europe. Additionally, we possess valuable natural resources, such as lithium and titanium, which could be of mutual benefit. Our perspective is that we should set firm conditions for Russia rather than just negotiating or pleading for peace.
**Editor:** You mentioned concern about Donald Trump’s influence in these discussions. How do you see his role affecting Ukraine’s situation?
**Podolyak:** Trump is a politician who aims to be number one, and any suggestions that align with Russia’s interests could undermine his position. If he were to confront Russia directly, he would risk being seen as subordinate. It is crucial for any U.S. leader to understand that appeasement will not stop Putin’s ambitions, which are aimed at the destruction of Ukraine and control over Europe.
**Editor:** In your opinion, what would be a realistic path forward for Ukraine in this global political landscape?
**Podolyak:** The focus should be on ensuring that Russia is held accountable for its aggression. We should not be pressured to concede; rather, we need to insist on conditions that ensure our sovereignty and security. The world needs to unite in making sure the aggressor faces consequences, not the victim.
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Mr. Podolyak. Your perspective provides important context in these challenging times.
**Podolyak:** Thank you for having me. It’s imperative that we continue to advocate for Ukraine’s rights and resist any narrative that undermines our sovereignty.