Ukraine won't make any concessions that could undermine our struggle for territorial integrity - Podoliak
Photo: OPU
The position of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on negotiations with the Russian Federation remains tough: Ukraine will not make any concessions that could undermine our struggle for territorial integrity.
This was stated by the adviser to the Head of the Office of the President, Mykhailo Podoliak, during a briefing in Lviv, OPU reports.
"President Zelenskyy will definitely not make any concessions that could in one way or another humiliate our struggle, which is being waged in Ukraine today for its territorial integrity and freedom," he said.
"Therefore, negotiations will be difficult. But they will be happening," Mykhailo Podoliak added.
According to the adviser to the Head of the President's Office, the Head of State clearly understands all the nuances and circumstances of negotiations with the Russian Federation.
"We are not just negotiating or just listening to them. We understand where they want to go, why they think so, and what their situation really is," said Mykhailo Podoliak.
He stressed that Ukraine's position in the negotiation process is significantly strengthened by our Western partners, as well as the success of the Armed Forces.
According to the adviser to the head of the President's Office, when Russia planned a military operation in Ukraine, it expected that it would be very short, and the consequences in the form of sanctions, not so significant.
"But today we have won a protracted battle around many cities in Ukraine. We see that this is a humanitarian catastrophe in the heart of Europe, and, of course, the package of sanctions that our Western partners are imposing on Russia today is having very serious consequences for them, which will last for a year or two or three, even if they are lifted today," said Mykhailo Podoliak.
He noted that sanctions have already brought down the Russian economy, so the Russian side seeks to reach some solutions in the negotiations.
"It is clear that these decisions should be in the interests of Ukraine because when they entered the negotiation process, it was one position… Today Ukraine is fighting as no one expected," said the adviser to the Head of the President's Office.
He also stressed that the Ukrainian side was ready to continue talks at any time, and suggested that the next round of talks with Russia will take place in a few days.
