Kyiv warns Trump against hasty peace talks with Russia
Kyiv was expected to influence Trump to alter his approach to the conflict with Russia. Ukrainians argue that initiating peace talks with Russia too early could be disastrous for Kyiv.
Donald Trump, despite no longer mentioning "peace in 24 hours," continues to promise to end the war within "100 days" or "a few months." Such declarations are causing concern in Kyiv.
Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, emphasized the need for deliberate and measured decision-making. He stressed the importance of retaining control over the initiative and ensuring it is not ceded to Russia.
According to Podolyak, Kyiv has managed to at least partially convince Trump's team that the Russian aggression in Ukraine is "not just about occupying Ukrainian territory, but about the redistribution of influence" in Europe. It was conveyed to Trump that Putin's ultimate aim is not to capture Zaporizhzhia but to weaken the West as much as possible.
Ukraine's strategy towards Russia
While the Russian army is slowly advancing in Donbas, Ukraine is implementing its strategy far beyond the front line. Ukrainian officials highlight long-range strikes on key Russian military industry and oil refining facilities. Podolyak emphasises that these actions significantly impact the Russian economy, which is Putin's greatest vulnerability.
According to Podolyak, 46% of Russia's oil refining sector is either under attack or within reach of Ukrainian weapons, leading to a gradual weakening of this critical part of its economy. Additionally, Ukrainian forces are targeting significant military infrastructure in Russia's European regions. Sustaining this pressure is seen as essential to negotiating from a position of strength, as meaningful discussions will only be possible if Russia experiences substantial losses.
In most cases, the Russians manage to repair oil facilities "within a week." However, additional supplies of Western missiles and tightened energy sanctions might prompt Putin to limit his aggression.
Source: The Telegraph
