Podoliak explained whether Ukraine will agree to negotiations with Russia after the liberation of Kherson
Russia does not offer and has not offered any negotiations to end the war. All that the Kremlin offered were ultimatums.
Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office Mykhailo Podoliak said this in an interview with Radio Liberty.
According to him, Russia spoke ultimatums from the very beginning. For example, when it demanded to recognize the seized territories as its own, and in return it would allegedly stop attacking the infrastructure of Ukraine.
Kyiv understands that any concessions to Russia will not lead to anything good. Even a temporary truce or ceasefire is just a trap.
According to the adviser to the head of the Presidential Administration, it will only give the Russian army time to prepare better, train its mobilized troops and attack Ukraine again with new forces.
– Understand, there is no negotiating position of the Russian Federation. Putin or his entourage do not want to negotiate, but put forward an ultimatum to Ukraine, which is unacceptable for us, – said Mykhailo Podoliak.
Regarding the possibility of holding negotiations after the liberation of Kherson, according to Mykhailo Podoliak, it will give Kyiv leverage to insist on the complete withdrawal of the occupation forces from the territory of Ukraine to restore dialogue.
– There is an official position fixed by President Zelenskiy. It is very clear. This is not the issue of Kherson or the issue of Luhansk and Donetsk. This is a question of the fact that a pro-Russian enclave cannot exist on the legal territory of Ukraine,” Mykhailo Podoliak said.
At the same time, the liberation of some of the occupied territories will give Ukraine the opportunity to insist on the complete withdrawal of enemy troops for negotiations.
– When Kherson or Luhansk or Donetsk or part of the Zaporizhzhya territory is liberated, of course, it will be a position of force. Then Ukraine can say: we offer you to leave the entire territory within 72 or 96 hours, withdraw all armed forces. And after that any negotiation process,” Podoliak said.
Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron said that peace talks with Russia could be held only on Ukraine’s terms.
