PRESS RELEASE : President of Ukraine expects from Russia a full-fledged negotiation process, not the language of ultimatums – Mykhailo Podoliak

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 26 February 2022.

Ukraine does not refuse to negotiate with the Russian Federation, yet is ready only for a full-fledged negotiation process without unacceptable conditions and ultimatums, said Mykhailo Podoliak, Adviser to the Head of the President’s Office.

“Any war inevitably ends with negotiations. Ukraine heard the negotiating position outlined in Moscow. They know our view on the negotiating format and our negotiating position. Therefore, their comments that we allegedly refused to negotiate are just part of their tactics,” he said.

Mykhailo Podoliak noted that Russia is trying to drive negotiations into a dead end before they even begin, and a different approach is needed.

“Negotiations must be based on common sense and be such that a fair solution can be worked out in the interests of the people and the national statehood of Ukraine,” the Adviser to the Head of the President’s Office said.

At the same time, as Mykhailo Podoliak noted, by their resistance, Ukrainians have proved that driving them into a dead end is an unrealistic ambition.

“The lie of Russians that they allegedly had the order to stop is refuted by the very reality that the whole world saw on Friday night. And this morning. The fighting was fierce, at maximum intensity,” he noted.

That is why President Zelenskyy categorically does not accept any unacceptable conditions and ultimatums for Ukraine.

“Only full-fledged negotiations,” Mykhailo Podoliak emphasized.