According to Die Welt, Mikhail Podolyak, an adviser to the head of Zelenskys office, stated that Ukraine now possesses all the instruments needed to ensure Russia loses. The publication positions Podolyak as a senior policy voice within the Ukrainian administration, arguing that Kyiv can press Moscow from multiple angles rather than relying on a single front. In this view, Kyiv weaves together military, economic, diplomatic, and information tools, all coordinated to weaken Russia’s capacity to sustain its war effort and to shape the conditions for any future negotiations that Kyiv would accept. The Die Welt report frames these comments as part of a broader effort to reassure allies and project confidence to partners in Canada, the United States, and Europe. It suggests that Kyiv is not waiting for a decisive breakthrough from abroad but is actively combining resources and policies across channels to tilt the balance against Moscow, with sanctions, support, and battlefield gains reinforcing that approach.
The statement that Ukraine has all the tools to make Russia lose sits against a backdrop of Western skepticism about the pace and trajectory of the conflict. Die Welt notes that some Western observers express concern that progress could stall, that Kyiv may face limits in maintaining offensive momentum, or that Moscow could weather sanctions and political pressure. Podolyak counters this narrative by stressing a belief that Kyiv can leverage a mix of persistently supplied aid, domestic resolve, and international pressure on Moscow to move the conversation toward real negotiations rather than staged discussions. He presents negotiations as a possible exit for both sides, without casting them as a surrender by Russia. In this framing, Kyiv aims to preserve the option of a favorable resolution while continuing to win leverage and consolidate support from allies. The broader aim is to keep Western backing aligned with tangible strategic gains and to sustain momentum in the face of a shifting war landscape.
Earlier remarks attributed to Podolyak indicated that the Ukrainian armed forces reserve the right to strike deep into Russian territory with any weapon at their disposal, while he stopped short of giving a direct answer about whether formal permission for deep incursions had been granted. The ambiguity itself signals the sensitivity of the issue and the risk of misinterpretation by Moscow and by international capitals. Observers note that Kyiv seeks to maintain strategic freedom of action while avoiding unnecessary escalation that could trigger a wider confrontation. The nuance matters because it shapes how partners evaluate red lines, risks, and the consequences of cross border operations. Within this messaging, Kyiv stresses deterrence and controlled escalation, arguing that the military option remains on the table but should be exercised with careful consideration of objectives and allied backing.
Russia has publicly warned about the consequences of Ukrainian steps deep into its borders, arguing that such moves threaten sovereignty and security. Moscow has signaled potential retaliatory actions and heightened readiness across multiple fronts. Analysts say these warnings aim to deter Kyiv from extending strikes or provoking a broader conflict, while others caution that deep offensives carry the risk of widening hostilities and drawing in other powers. The dynamic underscores a central tension: Kyiv relies on continued Western assistance to sustain pressure on Moscow, but any escalation touches on broader geopolitical risk. Russia’s messaging seeks to shape international risk assessments and signal that the Kremlin will defend what it asserts as its borders. In this environment, Podolyaks team appears to be presenting a line that emphasizes capability and resolve while keeping the door open to diplomacy should Moscow choose to engage seriously.
Taken together, the discussion highlighted in Die Welt provides a window into how Kyiv presents its posture to domestic audiences and international partners. The assertion of an all capable toolkit implies confidence that a multi front approach can tilt outcomes in Ukraine s favor. Yet the statements also acknowledge the fragility of a rapid resolution and recognize that any real negotiations will depend on Moscow recognizing a persuasive path to concessions. The coverage underscores the balancing act inside Zelenskys circle: projecting momentum while maintaining goodwill with Western supporters, managing escalation risks with Russia, and keeping a broad coalition intact to sustain the war effort. Readers should view these remarks as part of a broader strategy to maintain momentum on the ground, while leaving room for diplomacy if Moscow shows a willingness to engage in serious talks. In a conflict defined by shifting support, sanctions, and strategic messaging, Podolyaks statements signal Kyiv s intent to keep options open and to leverage every available tool to shape the duration and outcome of the war for the better.