«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 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
### Interview with Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to Ukrainian President Zelensky
### Interview with Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to Ukrainian President Zelensky
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Podolyak. In your recent comments, you emphasized that Ukraine should not make concessions to Russia. Can you clarify your stance on this matter?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** Thank you for having me. I believe that Ukraine, as the attacked nation, should not be expected to surrender any sovereignty or territories. We have been under assault for three long years, and to ask us to concede anything would be a grave injustice. We need to focus on the realities of the situation rather than entertaining negotiations that favor the aggressor.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned in your remarks the dynamics involving Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. How do you see Trump’s potential role in this situation?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** Trump has always positioned himself to be a prominent player in global politics, but if he were to entertain Putin’s ideas, he would undermine his own standing. Any suggestion that Ukraine must grant concessions to achieve peace is fundamentally flawed. The notion that we should return territories to Russia in exchange for a ceasefire only strengthens Putin’s aggressive posture and undermines international security in Europe.
**Interviewer:** Could you elaborate on your point regarding Ukraine’s military capabilities? How can Ukraine contribute to European security?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** Certainly. Ukraine has developed substantial military expertise over the years of conflict. We have the ability to provide support that could substitute for American military presence in Europe, enhancing security in the region. Additionally, we possess significant reserves of strategic minerals like lithium and titanium, which can also play a vital role in the global economy. This is where a pragmatic approach comes into play; we seek to establish a balance, ensuring that Russia is held accountable for its actions.
**Interviewer:** A final question — what do you think should be the next steps in addressing this ongoing conflict?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** The next steps should involve a united front amongst Western nations to bolster our position against Russian aggression. It is crucial that we not only resist proposals that require our concessions but also push for a strategic dialog that holds Russia to appropriate conditions. The focus should be on enforcing peace through strength, not through capitulation. It’s time to transition from discussions centered on what Ukraine can give to what Russia must lose if it continues its aggressive behavior.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Podolyak, for sharing your insights with us today.
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** Thank you for having me.
