Espreso. Global

Ukraine alerts Trump: early peace talks could be disastrous

19 January, 2025 Sunday
18:07

Volodymyr Zelensky urges the president-elect to strengthen Ukraine's position on the battlefield before engaging in talks with Russia

client/title.list_title

Ukrainian officials have cautioned that putting pressure on Ukraine to deal with Russia before acquiring a military edge would be a fatal error, ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration. 

The Telegraph mentions that as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, Ukraine is urging the United States to provide continued support in its fight against Russia, warning that any push for early peace talks could be catastrophic. President Zelensky is concerned that a refusal to negotiate with Russia could lead to a reduction in U.S. military aid, emphasizing the need for more time and resources to strengthen Ukraine’s position before any discussions.

Advisers to Zelenskyy have stated that allowing Russia to gain an upper hand on the battlefield before negotiations would only embolden President Putin, destabilize Ukraine, and undermine Western interests. They argue that only by inflicting significant losses on Russia will Ukraine be in a position to negotiate from strength. 

Mykhailo Podolyak mentioned that Ukraine cannot give away the initiative to Russia. He explains that ongoing attacks on Russian infrastructure, especially its oil refineries, are having a major impact on the Russian economy, which is Putin's primary vulnerability. Podolyak stresses the importance of maintaining this pressure to ensure that Russia enters talks under duress, not by choice.

Ukraine has been targeting key parts of Russia’s refinery sector, which makes up a significant portion of the country's economy. While it is unclear how much damage has been done due to Russia’s secrecy about oil production data, Ukrainian forces have managed to shut down major refineries, such as the Novoshakhtinsk plant, multiple times. However, Ukrainian officials note that Russia has been able to quickly repair its facilities, and additional Western support is needed to intensify the pressure.

Zelenskyy’s government has been actively lobbying the incoming U.S. administration since Trump's victory, hoping to secure continued military support. Ukrainian officials are particularly concerned that Trump, who previously expressed interest in negotiating directly with Putin, may repeat the mistakes of the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. They warn that allowing Russia to weaken Ukraine would not only harm the country but also weaken the West’s position globally.

Although Trump has previously suggested a quick resolution to the war, he now acknowledges that it may take up to six months to resolve. Some reports indicate that Trump is motivated by the prospect of winning a Nobel Peace Prize, which he feels he deserves for resolving the "Ukraine crisis."

Ukrainian officials also mention that any peace talks must include Ukraine, European partners, and Britain, not just Russia and the U.S., with discussions about a potential peacekeeping force in Ukraine. Also important to mention that a ceasefire could only work if Western forces were ready to act decisively if Russia violated the agreement. 

Ultimately, Ukraine believes its long-term security lies in NATO membership, which would offer a sustainable guarantee against Russian aggression. Olena Sotnyk, an adviser to Ukraine’s deputy prime minister, emphasizes that this is the only real security guarantee for the country.

  • Advisers to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump now admit that resolving the war in Ukraine will take months, undermining his earlier promise to strike a peace deal on his first day in office.
Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Thursday
13 February
22:00
Exclusive
Heart of Ukraine: interactive Valentine’s Day installation unveiled at Kyiv’s railway station
21:45
Exclusive
'Starved and tortured': freed Azov fighter reveals horrors of Olenivka prison
21:31
Exclusive
Putin, Zelenskyy will not get everything they want, but peace will be achieved — U.S. Defense Secretary
21:20
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12
Russian army returns to using armored vehicles near Pokrovsk – Ukrainian military
21:10
OPINION
Operation against Poroshenko: strategic move to divide society
20:57
Exclusive
Ukrainian intelligence destroys Valdai radar near Moscow: expert explains how
20:42
Exclusive
Sanctions against Poroshenko might be politically motivated before elections - MP
20:24
U.S. sanctions ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan who issued Putin arrest warrant
20:11
Exclusive
Ukraine risks future war as Trump rejects NATO membership and security guarantees
19:56
Fico publishes photo with Putin, says calls Ukraine and EU are "losers"
19:40
Exclusive
Many EU politicians see Ukraine ceasefire as done deal — Espreso correspondent from Brussels
19:25
'Nothing discredits Hungarian officials more than their actions': Ukraine’s MFA on Budapest’s accusations
19:10
Exclusive
"Approaching Mariupol, we realized this was a real major invasion": former POW told about city's defense
18:55
Press release
Kostiantyn Zhevago considers sanctions imposed on him illegal - businessman's press service
18:41
Exclusive
Russian military drills ahead of February 24 were wake-up call - released Azov fighter
18:25
'Any deal made behind our backs won’t work': Kaja Kallas on negotiations with Russia
18:07
'Poland, Europe, entire West need full cooperation': Tusk urges ending disputes over Ukraine
17:51
Hungary’s Orbán slams EU statement on Ukraine peace talks as 'worthless'
17:34
Trump must be more realistic on Russia talks — Ukrainian MP on Trump-Putin call
17:16
Trump's British ally Farage backs Ukraine joining NATO despite past criticism
16:54
Russia deliberately targeted Mariupol shelters marked "Children" and "Civilians" — Azov soldier, released from captivity
16:33
Moldova recovers Russian drone wreckage, summons Russian ambassador
16:15
Two newest Russian radar systems explode near Moscow
15:54
Exclusive
No reason to say Ukraine's fate will be decided behind its back — military expert
15:35
China suggests Putin-Trump summit as solution to end war against Ukraine
15:16
Russia denies talks of recognizing Crimea, occupied territories as Russian in Trump-Putin call
14:53
Secret Gravehawk air defense system for Ukraine unveiled – and it's not what you'd expect
14:40
Ukraine’s parliament work blocked by MPs protesting political repression
14:21
Ukraine's role crucial in peace talks after Trump-Putin call, NATO chief says
13:56
Zelenskyy imposes sanctions against Ukraine’s former President Poroshenko
13:38
Exclusive
"Unprecedented case in nuclear energy history": Expert on Ukraine buying reactors from Bulgaria
13:15
Poland warns Ukraine not to expect NATO invitation to “fall from the sky”
12:54
Trump's ex-advisor: Kremlin drinks vodka straight from bottle after Trump-Putin talk
12:35
Around 7,000 civilians remain in Ukraine’s Pokrovsk as evacuation continues
12:15
Review
Return to pre-war borders is unrealistic: New Pentagon chief's statements at Ramstein and Ukraine's stance. Serhiy Zgurets' column
11:52
Russian forces block water and humanitarian aid deliveries to civilians in frontline areas
11:35
"Putin would say he won": Trump says he'll keep supporting Ukraine
11:16
Russian civilians evacuated to Ukraine after Russia’s deadly strike on shelter
10:54
116 clashes occur at front on Feb. 12: Russia launches over 5,000 strikes on Ukraine
10:33
European countries and Ukraine demand a say in any peace talks
More news