In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Andriy Yermak, the Head of the President’s Office of Ukraine, expressed confidence that Ukraine can count on continued US support, regardless of who wins the US presidential election in 2024. Yermak emphasized that neither candidate, Donald Trump nor Joe Biden, intends to allow Russia to win the war against Ukraine, and military assistance to Kyiv will continue.
Key Points from Yermak’s Interview
- Negotiations and Russia’s Weakness. Yermak pointed out that after three years of war, society and the military are feeling exhausted, which highlights the importance of diplomatic efforts. However, as shown by the situation with the Kursk operation, the Russian side is displaying weakness, which could play in Ukraine’s favor during potential negotiations. Yermak stressed that negotiations could begin only after returning to the pre-full-scale invasion situation of 2022.
- Restoration of Sovereignty Based on 1991 Borders. According to Yermak, it is crucial for Ukraine to restore its internationally recognized borders as they were in 1991. This would be one of the main conditions for any future talks.
- Position on Putin’s Statements. Yermak made it clear that Ukraine is not going to yield to the propaganda of the Russian leader. “I don’t care about what Putin says. We cannot build peace on the rhetoric of those who wanted to start this war,” he emphasized, signaling that Ukraine’s stance will remain firm.
- Need for More Weapons and Freedom of Action. Yermak emphasized that Ukraine requires more weapons and that restrictions on striking military targets within Russian territory should be lifted. This, he believes, would expedite the end of hostilities in Ukraine’s favor.
- Elections to be Held After the War. The Head of the President’s Office assured that President Volodymyr Zelensky has made it clear that elections will only be held after the war ends to ensure that every soldier and Ukrainian refugee abroad has the right to vote. “Zelensky has made it clear that every citizen, regardless of their location, will have the opportunity to vote,” said Yermak.
Ukraine’s position remains clear and consistent: the restoration of control over all its territory, holding Russia accountable for its aggression, and creating conditions for a just peace. Yermak’s statements indicate that the Ukrainian leadership is focused on strengthening defense capabilities and ensuring a victory on Ukraine’s terms.
For a deeper analysis of the involvement of international partners in this war, especially North Korea, we recommend reading the article “North Korea Joins the War on Russia’s Side: New Challenges for Ukraine and the World”.