Adviser to the Head of the Presidential Office, Podoliak: Negotiations impossible today, Russia still does not understand consequences of this war

KATERINA TISHCHENKO - Wednesday, 18 May 2022, 19:27

Mykhailo Podoliak, an adviser to the head of the Presidential Office, says that it is impossible to hold talks with Russia today, as the country has not yet fully understood the position it is in due to the war against Ukraine.

Source: Podoliak in an interview with Radio HB

Quote: "Certainly, negotiations have been suspended today. The position of the President of Ukraine is important for us. When he says that it is necessary to start negotiations, to take some positions, we will do it. But today it is impossible.

Russia still does not understand the consequences of the war. They are under the illusion that they can achieve some military success in eastern Ukraine - this is not the case. They are still under the illusion that they can repel sanctions that have not yet begun to work in full, and that Russia is not yet suffering from sanctions as the aggressor state should suffer. But this is not the case, and by midsummer, they will suffer in full. Russia has not yet fully understood that it is an outcast country."

"They are still living in their propaganda. Of course, this affects the negotiation process"

Details: Podoliak also called the statements of some "people from the European community" strange. They have proposed that Ukraine cede part of its territory for peace with Russia.

"Any concessions made to the Russian Federation and the Russian political elite to allow them to save face will mean "Minsk-3", that is, it will mean a postponed war in one year, in two, in three. This should be understood by Europe's political elite when they make such statements… Any small concession by Russia will only encourage them to make even greater claims," said an adviser to the Presidential Office.

Background: 

•   On May 17, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that negotiations with Ukraine are not going on because Kyiv had effectively withdrawn from the negotiation process.
•   Mikhail Podoliak, an adviser to the head of the President's Office, confirmed that talks with Russia are currently on pause for a number of reasons.