Volodymyr Zelensky, in the next phase of talks to end the war in Ukraine, intends to draw a red line at the most contentious issue on the table: the Russian demand for Ukraine’s sovereign territory. As long as he remains the nation’s president, Zelensky will not agree to give up land in exchange for peace, Ukraine’s chief negotiator, Andriy Yermak, told me today in an exclusive interview.
“Not a single sane person today would sign a document to give up territory,” said Yermak, who has served as Zelensky’s chief of staff, lead negotiator, and closest aide throughout the full-scale war with Russia.
“As long as Zelensky is president, no one should count on us giving up territory. He will not sign away territory,” he told me by telephone from Kyiv. “The constitution prohibits this. Nobody can do that unless they want to go against the Ukrainian constitution and the Ukrainian people.”
And nor should they, never give in to bullies.
Russia’s showing signs of desperation anyhow which is why they’re trying to push through an agreement. They can’t debase the currency much further, they don’t have the reserves or the GDP. Ukraine is in more the position strength here as they’ve spend their time building alliances which has been aided by Russian actions strengthening the resolve of Europeans.
If they really felt desperate, wouldn’t they show just a bit more flexibility in their demands?
If Putin shows weakness, Russian’s might start thinking he’ll give in to their demands.
US here, and I wish we were one of those allies. You know, as we promised.
Yeah, would have been nice if the word (signature in fact!) of us government had meant anything (we knew russia never lives up to it)
Unfortunately, this is just a stark lesson for any other country out there. Do not give up your nuclear weapons no matter what “guarantees” you get.
Isnt the lesson “develop nukes now”?
Sounds like the EU needs a nuclear weapon program. At least one warhead in every EU nation, and at least 10 in every bordering Russia.
And also an autonomous weapon program. Like Project Manhatthan, but for Skynet.
We knew Russia wouldn’t. I’m just sad that we aren’t holding up our end of the bargain. I suspect we’d have support from other nations.
Ah yes, but with Trump bending over backwards to accommodate Putin the Russians needn’t worry.