Mikhail Podolyak, an advisor to the head of Ukraine’s presidential administration, indicated in a French interview with Le Point that talks between Kyiv and Moscow should occur regardless of other factors. The discussion, he argued, must cover the fate of the Russian nuclear arsenal and the creation of demilitarized zones. He stated plainly that a ceasefire, reparations, and accountability for war crimes would be on the negotiating table, along with security arrangements for the region. The point was made that diplomacy would be essential to shaping the future of the conflict and reducing the risk of further escalation by negotiating clear terms and mechanisms [attribution: Le Point].
Podolyak emphasized that meaningful negotiations cannot begin while Russian troops remain inside Ukraine, and he asserted that withdrawal to the 1991 borders would be a prerequisite for any talks. This stance frames the discussion as inseparable from on-the-ground military realities, linking political dialogue to the status of territorial sovereignty and the integrity of Ukraine’s borders [attribution: Le Point].
In past remarks, Podolyak had stressed a preference for air defense and missile defense capabilities as essential to Ukraine’s security posture rather than negotiations with Russia. He noted that the counteroffensive by the Ukrainian armed forces had been proceeding according to plan, reinforcing the belief that Kyiv must maintain momentum on the battlefield while pursuing diplomatic avenues to achieve a durable settlement [attribution: Le Point].
Previously in Ukraine, there were discussions about the terms of potential negotiations with Russia, with a focus on balancing military objectives and diplomatic channels. The current viewpoint situates talks within a broader framework that includes strategic defense planning, verifiable disarmament measures, and the establishment of safe zones to prevent future aggression, all under the condition of Russian withdrawal and accountability for aggression [attribution: Le Point].