"Direct negotiations with Russia do not make sense": Yermak says return of territories will be Ukraine's victory

Ukraine currently sees no point in direct negotiations with the aggressor country Russia, as it is not ready to compromise on the issue of its territorial integrity and sovereignty. Kyiv understands victory to mean only the return of all territories, bringing war criminals to justice, and the return of all Ukrainian children.

This was stated by the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andrii Yermak in an interview with Yevropeiska Pravda. Commenting on the topics to be discussed at the second peace summit, he noted that he could not disclose all the information, but expressed hope that this summit would bring Ukraine closer to ending the war.

"For us, if there is even a small opportunity today, we want the second summit to bring us as close as possible to the end of the war, to real peace. And this means that there should be no other interpretations of the Ukrainian victory..." said Yermak.

He added that Ukraine's victory in the war with Russia means restoring its territorial integrity, ensuring its sovereignty through security guarantees, returning all our people, bringing war criminals to justice, obtaining the necessary compensation to rebuild the country, and returning all Ukrainian children.

In addition, Ukraine's victory will also mean "a truly new security structure in Europe, where Ukraine will play one of the leading roles," the OP chief said.

"Under this president, there will never be a 'Minsk', something that Ukrainian society will not accept. In all the points of the formula, there is an absolutely clear answer, without double standards, without double meaning, that the territorial integrity... is clearly written. What other territorial integrity can there be than internationally recognized borders?" Yermak said.

According to him, Ukraine currently sees no point in direct negotiations with Russia and no possible result that it would need.

Regarding the participation of a Russian representative in the second peace summit, the official said that such a possibility exists, but it does not mean the start of negotiations with Moscow.

Asked about the possible involvement of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, Yermak said it was too early to say.

"I think it's too early to talk about it," he said.

After being asked whether this meant that there was no longer a categorical refusal to contact Putin, the head of the OP said that this answer should be given not by him, but by the decision of the National Security and Defense Council.

At the same time, according to Yermak, Ukraine does not rule out the possibility of handing over the peace plan to a Russian representative in the future, provided that it does not become the beginning of direct negotiations.

"We are not ready to compromise on Ukraine's independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. Is it possible to resolve all issues very quickly today? Absolutely not. That is why there is a formula, and that is why we are talking about the conditions for the second summit because we need to unite even more countries to exert pressure. Because there is a goal. But, it's like we know that we are at the end of a marathon, but no one knows when the marathon will end, but we have a goal," the head of the OP said.

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