«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 suggest Ukraine should handle negotiations with Russia to ensure national integrity?
**Interview with Mykhailo Podolyak: Strategic Insights on Trump’s Position and Ukraine’s Sovereignty**
**Interviewer:** Mykhailo, thank you for joining us today. Donald Trump recently stated that the war in Ukraine could be resolved quickly if he were to win the US election. What are your thoughts on this assertion?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** Thank you for having me. While I appreciate the sentiment behind quick resolutions, it’s vital to understand that the complexities of this conflict are not something that can merely be expedited through political promises. Trump’s statements seem to align with negotiating from a position that could jeopardize Ukraine’s sovereignty.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned concerns about potential concessions to Russia. What specifics are you worried about in these discussions?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** Whenever there’s talk of a ceasefire or negotiations that involve Ukraine conceding territories, we must remember this is fundamentally about our sovereignty. The narrative often implies that Ukraine should yield something, yet Russia’s ambitions are clear—they aim for complete domination. So, why should we enter negotiations that ask us to concede our integrity?
**Interviewer:** How does Ukraine view the possibility of NATO accession in the current geopolitical context?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** Joining NATO is not just a matter of alliance but a necessity for our national defense. It is crucial for our protection against further aggression. We’ve faced relentless attacks and have fought valiantly for three years. A pause in our resistance in exchange for a false sense of security would only embolden Russia.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the idea of pragmatism in negotiations. What could Ukraine offer to the U.S. if the situation calls for a shift in American military support?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** We have developed significant military expertise during this conflict and could provide strategic support in various regions, particularly in Europe. Furthermore, Ukraine is rich in rare resources, such as lithium and titanium, which could be mutually beneficial in collaboration with the West.
**Interviewer:** In light of your statements, what do you believe is the rational approach to end the conflict with Russia?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** The rational approach is not about bargaining. It’s about enforcing conditions that compel Russia to engage constructively. Rather than entering discussions that seek our concessions, the focus should be on what Russia must give up to achieve a sustainable peace.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mykhailo, for sharing your insights. It certainly paints a clear picture of Ukraine’s stance amid shifting political narratives.
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** Thank you for having me. It’s important for the world to understand Ukraine’s position as we navigate these challenging times.
