PRESS RELEASE : Ukraine will not make any concessions that could undermine our struggle for territorial integrity – Mykhailo Podoliak

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 4 March 2022.

The position of 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 Adviser to the Head of the President’s Office Mykhailo Podoliak during a briefing in Lviv.

“President Zelenskyy will definitely not make any concessions that could in one way or another undermine 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 continue,” 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 present at the negotiations or just listening to them. We understand what they want to achieve, why they think so and what their real situation 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 would not be so significant.

“But today we have a long battle around many cities in Ukraine. We see that this is already a humanitarian catastrophe in the heart of Europe, and, of course, the package of sanctions that our Western partners impose on Russia today causes extremely significant 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 ruined 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 President’s Office.

He also stressed that the Ukrainian side is ready to continue talks at any time, and suggested that the next round of talks with Russia will take place in a few days.