«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
How does Ukraine’s military strength play a role in its negotiations with the U.S. amidst Trump’s foreign policy changes?
**Interview with Mykhailo Podolyak on Ukraine’s Position Amidst Potential Trump Victory**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mykhailo. Following Donald Trump’s victory, there seems to be widespread speculation about what that means for Ukraine. What is your initial reaction to the outcome of the election?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** Thank you for having me. I believe that Trump’s victory could signal a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy. There is a growing concern among us that he may look to broker a peace deal that could be unfavorable to Ukraine, particularly given his pledge to end the war quickly. We are skeptical about such promises, especially because they could lead to concessions to Russia.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned concerns about conceding to Russia. Can you elaborate on why Ukraine should not be expected to make such concessions?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** Absolutely. The narrative that Ukraine should concede territory or sovereignty in exchange for peace is fundamentally flawed. Russia’s objectives are clear: the destruction of our nation and the expansion of its influence in Europe. Why would we ever accept a deal that benefits a country set on our annihilation? It’s essential to focus on what Russia should concede instead.
**Interviewer:** Your comments suggest a pragmatic approach to negotiations. What specifically do you envision when engaging with the U.S. under Trump’s leadership?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** We believe that a pragmatic approach involves leveraging our strengths. Ukraine has developed significant military capabilities over the years and could offer to support in regions where American contingents are stationed, particularly in Europe. Additionally, we have valuable resources, such as lithium and titanium, that could be harnessed in partnership with the U.S. The key is to compel Russia to accept terms that respect Ukraine’s sovereignty rather than negotiating from a position of weakness.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like you’re advocating for a strong stance in future negotiations. How do you think the Ukrainian resistance influences the international perception of the conflict, especially in light of Trump’s potential policy shifts?
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** The resilience of the Ukrainian people is our greatest asset. We have been fighting for three years to defend our sovereignty and territory. This struggle has garnered international support, but we must ensure that any discussion about peace does not overlook what Ukraine has endured. The dialogue should not solely center on what Ukraine must give up; it should emphasize the accountability we expect from Russia for its aggression.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mykhailo, for sharing your insights. It will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds as Trump assumes office and what that means for Ukraine and global geopolitics.
**Mykhailo Podolyak:** Thank you for having me. We remain committed to defending our nation and will continue advocating for a just resolution to this conflict.
