Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office Andriy Yermak stated in an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that Russian forces must withdraw to their positions as of 24 February 2022, before peace negotiations can begin.
“Zelensky has never talked about territorial compromise, but rather about the necessity of accepting internationally recognized borders. However, it’s true that he was ready to negotiate based on the situation on the eve of the Russian invasion,” Yermak explained. “For us, Crimea and Donbas remain Ukrainian, they are not negotiable. We are against freezing the war, we want to end it.”
Regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s demands to accept the current situation on the ground, Yermak was dismissive: “I don’t care what this aggressor says! We cannot build a peace proposal under the influence of those who wanted this war.”
When asked about corruption allegations against Ukraine, Yermak acknowledged the challenge while defending the country’s anti-corruption policy:
“We live in a democracy. There is an information war, Moscow is working to tarnish the image of our government. Keep in mind that the front is holding, despite corruption. I would say that the latter was a constant in countries that were part of the former Soviet Union. But if we were really so corrupt, how could we resist?”
On the possibility of Donald Trump winning the US presidential election, Yermak denied allegation that Ukraine is afraid of his victory: “We are not afraid, after almost three years of war how can we be afraid? Obviously, US policy is of great importance for us, they are our main ally. And we know well that American society is with us. Zelensky recently met with US leaders. The conversation with Biden and Kamala Harris was warm, but the talk with Trump also went very well.”
He added that they returned from the United States “certain that neither candidate is willing to let Putin win this war and that military support will continue. Even Trump talks about the need for a just peace. The Republican Party, though different from the Democratic Party, knows well that we were attacked and cannot be defeated.”
Regarding elections in Ukraine, Yermak confirmed they would take place “immediately after the end of the war,” with Zelensky wanting to ensure all soldiers and refugees abroad can vote, though currently “resources must go to the war.”
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