«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 are Mykhailo Podolyak’s main concerns regarding concessions in negotiations with Russia?**
**Interview with Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Mr. Podolyak. Your recent comments have stirred quite a conversation about the potential negotiations surrounding the conflict with Russia. Can you elaborate on your concerns about Ukraine making concessions?
**Podolyak:** Thank you for having me. My primary concern is that Ukraine should not be expected to concede anything to an aggressor. Russia’s goals are clear: the destruction of Ukraine and domination in Europe. Why should we assume that any deal would be beneficial for us? It seems misguided to suggest that we need to provide concessions when the focus should instead be on the aggressive actions of Russia.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the geopolitical dynamics involving Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. What is your assessment of Trump’s position in relation to Russia?
**Podolyak:** Trump is a politician focused on being the strongest player on the board. The current discussions about concessions appear to stem from suggestions by Putin, which complicates the narrative. If Trump were to pursue actions against him, he would risk diminishing his own power. Therefore, we need to assess these negotiations with great caution—specifically, what is Ukraine being asked to give up and what should Russia be compelled to relinquish instead?
**Interviewer:** You also brought up the topic of military support. Can you tell us more about Ukraine’s capabilities and what you envision in terms of military cooperation?
**Podolyak:** Absolutely. Ukraine has made significant strides in military development and has built a strong defense over the past three years. We could potentially support American military personnel abroad, particularly in Europe, as a trade-off for enhanced cooperation. Moreover, we possess valuable natural resources, such as lithium and titanium, that we’re keen to discuss in any long-term partnership, contributing to global supply chains.
**Interviewer:** what would you consider a pragmatic approach to these negotiations?
**Podolyak:** Pragmatism involves compelling Russia to face the consequences of its actions rather than merely asking for concessions. We must bring a firm stance to the negotiating table. Instead of negotiating from a position of perceived weakness, Ukraine must ensure that we are not the only ones being asked to concede. It’s about rebalancing the conversation and ensuring that the aggressor is held accountable.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Podolyak, for sharing your insights with us today.
**Podolyak:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that the world understands Ukraine’s position in this ongoing conflict.
