Kherson liberation is unlikely to be direct reason to start negotiations between Ukraine and Russia

Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to the head of President's Office, said this in an interview with Radio Liberty.

"There is an official position recorded by President Zelenskyy. It is very clear. This is not a question of Kherson or Luhansk or Donetsk. It is a question of what is on legal territory of Ukraine, on de jure territory of Ukraine, and this is the entire territory, including occupied territories, there cannot be pro-Russian enclave. Because this will not be a negotiating position. Because it will only cause additional burden on the process that follows negotiations", he said.

According to him, if Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk or part of Zaporizhia region is liberated, it will be a position of strength.

Then, of course, Ukraine can say: we offer you to leave the entire territory within 72 or 96 hours, withdraw all armed forces. Yes, there can be such a position of strength. But still the key thing (we, again, are coming back) is that Russian occupation forces must stop being on the territory of Ukraine and that's it.  And negotiation process after that", Podolyak emphasized.

• La Repubblica published article in which it claims that a victory over Russians in Kherson can start real peace negotiations with Moscow. 

• Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Main Directorate of Ukrainian Intelligence, predicted Kherson liberation by the end of November.