Ukrainian plan for negotiations with Russia. “It's not ready for this”
Andrij Jermak: It's very simple, just read the entry of President Zełnski on the X. He wrote that he is ready for all formats of negotiations. If Russia proposes direct conversations, it is ready to go to Turkey. We are still of the opinion that all negotiations must start with a full, unconditional suspension of weapons, because you cannot negotiate any peace solutions or peace agreements when you are attacked by drones and rockets.
However, the weapon was suspended.
It has been a bit calmer in the last 24 hours. However, we do not want to give the Russians any possibility of manipulating this situation. That is why President Zelnski, as a strong leader of a strong nation, said he was ready to go to Turkey [na negocjacje]. He is ready to talk to Putin. At this moment, however, we still do not confirm that the Russian president will go to Turkey. However, I am sure that President Zelnski will fly there.
Have you talked to the President of the United States or people around his surroundings in recent hours? He announced that he could also go to Turkey, do you know anything about it?
President Trump is now in the Middle East and is busy because he has very important visits to the countries of this region. Yesterday, however, the whole world heard his very clear statement, in which he stated that he believed that President Zelnski and President Putin would meet in Turkey, and he is seriously considering the possibility of arrival. For now, we have no confirmation that he will actually do it, but I think his bright words are important. I think that if President Putin does not appear in Turkey on May 15, this will be the last sign that he does not want the end of the war and serious negotiations.
Do you think that Donald Trump has sufficient political strength to convince Vladimir Putin to come to Istanbul? Conflicted information flows from the Kremlin – some say Putin will not come and send Lavrov, but there is no clear statement yet.
Yes, I think President Trump and the United States as a strong country have such power. I also think that real pressure on Russia will force Putin to at some point to make serious negotiations and end this war. I would also like to say that we appreciate the fact that President Trump takes such a position and does not stop in efforts to really end this war. I think that if Putin does not come to Turkey, it will be necessary to immediately introduce new sanctions and a new pressure. Because Russia only understands the language of strength, and anyone who thinks that it is possible to achieve a compromise will be used by it.
Andrij Jermak, Kyiv, May 13, 2025.
In 2022, you signed a decree in which it was said that there would be no direct negotiations with Russia. A year ago I interviewed President Zelnski and he also said that he could not sit at one table with the killer. What has changed?
If you carefully analyze the Ukrainian law, you will notice that the constitution of Ukraine authorizes the president to negotiate with everyone, if it actes in the interest of the country. This means that from a legal point of view, there are no restrictions that would prevent President Zelnski to negotiate with Putin.
But he never wanted it …
Indeed, he once said it and did not change his mind. Putin is a person who gave the order to kill our people, children. He started this unjustified, terrible war. The President of Ukraine said that he is ready to negotiate in any format, but only with Putin – if it helps it ends the war and achieve a fair and lasting peace.
What do you personally think about it? You will join a delegation that will go to Istanbul, you can sit opposite Putin or another Russian official. How do you feel with this thought?
Of course, this will not be pleased, but I will tell one story here, maybe you know it. When the Israeli Mosad prepared the Eichmann capture surgery [jednego z czołowych nazistów]specially chosen people who lost someone in the Holocaust. I especially remember one book, which was written by the head of this team Peter Zvi Malkin. He talked a lot about emotions and feelings, but he also wrote that at that moment, when he was preparing to capture Eichmann, he did not think about personal motives. He thought about his country, justice, how to achieve peace.
Of course, you can't not feel negative emotions – don't think about more than three years of war, about people who died in Bucza, Irish and other cities, about those who were on the front line. It is impossible to forget that the Russians killed children in catfish and in other cities. However, we represent our country, our wonderful nation. We want to end this war and it is our duty to speak, negotiate, protect and defend the interests of Ukraine.
What would you do if Putin did not come to Turkey? Would you negotiate with Lavrov or other members of the Russian delegation?
This will be the decision of President Zelanski. Putin said, however, that he was ready to undertake direct negotiations. However, I do not know what it will look like, what will happen if Putin does not arrive. What will the explanation find.
The Kremlin's argument is that in peace negotiations, diplomats and ministers, and only later, presidents meet first.
I don't understand this explanation. I saw the Kremlin statement, in which the declaration was made that the Russians were ready to undertake direct negotiations. When such words fall from the mouth of the President of Russia, it means that he is ready for direct negotiations with the President of Ukraine.
You think Putin hesitates …
I have only one answer: if he does not arrive, it will be a sign that he does not want to end this war and is not ready to make any negotiations.
Vladimir Putin in Moscow, May 13, 2025.
Let's assume, however, that he will come. What are you ready to offer him?
The president and our whole team have a very clear and very fundamental position. The first step is to achieve a full and unconditional suspension of weapons. You can't talk and discuss when you are attacked when you are attacked by drones and rockets. Secondly, you need to negotiate how it will function this suspension of a weapon, who will monitor it, what will be responsible if someone breaks them – because unfortunately we have not very good experience in this matter. Then you can agree on the formats and the framework of negotiations, and then the right moment will come to take them. Of course it will be a long process. It is possible that the composition of the delegation will be negotiated.
Are you ready to give up some part of your territory?
I think it is a matter of negotiations. But if you ask me such a direct question, I will answer very directly – we have never considered Russian territory to Russia. This is contrary to our law, constitution. However, we are realists. A long way ahead of us. We currently have a contact line, we must start discussing all issues from it. If you ask me what the real end of the war means for Ukrainians, I will answer one thing – everything is described at 10 points of the President's peace plan.
President Trump demands above all one thing – elections in Ukraine. Is it possible to carry them out in the near future?
With all due respect, we do not need someone demanding from us to take the election. Ukraine is a democratic country. The election will take place immediately when it is possible, according to the law, when all our citizens have the opportunity to vote. There is no such need yet. Please understand – this is our society, our mentality, our strength. That is why we are so strong and brave.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other European leaders came to Kiev and erected an ultimatum. He said that if the weapon does not suspend the weapon by Monday, new sanctions should be imposed on Russia, even if the United States does not join this initiative. What do you think can do Germany, Europe? Do you expect to deliver Taurus to Ukraine?
We very much appreciate the position of our European friends, especially the German Chancellor Merza. It was an absolutely unanimous position of Europe. Sanctions must be painful and effective.
In recent years, however, they have not been like that.
That's not true. At the beginning, all sanctions were really effective and painful, which is why the group we created together with Michael McFaul [byłym ambasadorem USA w Rosji, obecnie znajduje się na jej liście sankcyjnej] She continued her work. We analyze the situation, but after three years we can say that the sanction system really works step by step. The Russian economy is in poor condition.
What are we talking about now? About oil sanctions? Gas?
For oil, gas, about funds towards the financial system.
From the perspective of Europe and the United States?
United States also, because it is necessary to coordinate activities.
Will planned measures harm Russia in the way you want it?
Yes. Russia is not ready for new, really painful and really effective sanctions.
Should they be imposed on Russia if Putin does not come to Turkey?
I think that if this happens, it will be – as I said – the last sign for everyone. After this, it will be necessary to immediately take very decisive actions and exert further pressure on Russia. Ultimately, only the language of strength will make her negotiate.
There has been a hot discussion in Germany about Taurus missiles lately. Do you think that Friedrich Merz will deliver them to Ukraine?
Please listen to the Chancellor's statements in this matter. I prefer to see the results than to discuss the process of achieving them.
Are you an optimist?
Yes.
In terms of Taurus missiles?
I just answered your question.
This interview was created as part of the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network project, of which Onet.pl is part.
