«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
- What role does Mykhailo Podolyak believe U.S. political dynamics play in Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia?
### Interview with Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Mykhailo Podolyak. You recently made striking comments about U.S. political dynamics and their impact on Ukraine. Can you elaborate on Donald Trump’s role in this situation?
**Podolyak:** Thank you for having me. It’s essential to understand that Trump positions himself as a top-tier politician. The ongoing discussions around potential concessions to Russia appear highly influenced by Vladimir Putin’s suggestions. If Trump were to act decisively against Russia, he risks diminishing his own standing, which he seems unwilling to tolerate.
**Editor:** You mentioned the idea of a ceasefire in exchange for territorial concessions. What is Ukraine’s stance on this?
**Podolyak:** We firmly reject any notion that Ukraine must concede anything. For three years, we’ve been fighting for our sovereignty. It’s essential to remember that Putin’s objective is the destruction of Ukraine and domination across Europe; thus, why would he consent to such a deal? The prevailing narrative is strongly skewed towards asking what Ukraine can give up, while there is little discourse around what Russia should concede.
**Editor:** In your comments, you implied a need for a more pragmatic approach. Can you outline what you envision in terms of negotiations?
**Podolyak:** Absolutely. We need to bring pragmatism to the negotiation table. Ukraine has garnered substantial military skills through this conflict and can offer to support American contingents in various regions, particularly in Europe. Moreover, we possess valuable deposits of rare minerals, such as lithium and titanium, which could be jointly developed. The focus should be on compelling Russia to accept reasonable conditions rather than passively negotiating.
**Editor:** That sounds like a bold approach, especially given the ongoing challenges. What do you hope to achieve through this strategy?
**Podolyak:** Our goal is straightforward: we want to reclaim our sovereignty and ensure peace without concessions that undermine our territory and independence. We believe that maintaining a strong stance will resonate more positively on the international stage and compel Russia to engage diplomatically under conditions that are fair and just.
**Editor:** Thank you, Mykhailo, for sharing your insights. It’s crucial for the global community to understand Ukraine’s perspective during these tumultuous times.
**Podolyak:** Thank you for having me. It’s vital that our voices are heard, and we remain committed to our sovereignty and the principles of democracy.
