«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
How can Ukraine strengthen its position in negotiations with Russia while securing support from the United States?
**Interview with Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Podolyak. With Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House, there’s been a lot of discussion about what that could mean for global politics, particularly for Ukraine. What are your immediate concerns?
**Podolyak:** Thank you for having me. My primary concern is the narrative emerging that Ukraine might have to concede territory to Russia in exchange for peace. This idea is driven by some suggestions from outside and seems to overlook Russia’s long-term goals, which include the destruction of Ukraine and further domination in Europe.
**Editor:** So, you believe that Trump’s approach could lean toward favoring concessions to Russia?
**Podolyak:** Absolutely. Trump’s ambition to be the top politician could lead him to entertain ideas presented by Putin. If he were to concede to Russia’s demands in any way, it would take him down a peg, counter to his nature.
**Editor:** You also mentioned in your statements that Ukraine has been fighting for three years and shouldn’t have to give up sovereignty. How do you envision a diplomatic solution?
**Podolyak:** Negotiation needs to be balanced. We have developed significant military expertise and can support U.S. interests in Europe, potentially replacing some American military presence. Additionally, Ukraine possesses valuable resources like lithium and titanium, which could strengthen our partnership with America.
**Editor:** How do you propose to shift the focus of negotiations?
**Podolyak:** The emphasis should not just be on what Ukraine must concede. Instead, we should demand that Russia faces consequences for its aggression. It’s about imposing terms on them rather than asking what we can give up—underline that we should be in a position of strength at the negotiating table.
**Editor:** It sounds like you are advocating for a firmer stance against Russia. Are you hopeful that U.S. policy will support that?
**Podolyak:** I hope so. It’s crucial that the global community recognizes the need to hold Russia accountable for its actions. Any negotiation must prioritize Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Only from a position of strength can a lasting peace be achieved.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Mr. Podolyak. Your perspective on the situation is invaluable as we navigate these complex geopolitical dynamics.
**Podolyak:** Thank you for having me. It’s vital that our collective understanding and actions align to safeguard Ukraine’s future and European stability.