Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to the head of the OP, commented on the possibility of starting negotiations with Russia "from a position of strength" after the return of Ukraine's control over Kherson. He said this in an interview with Radio Liberty.
"Yes, we can say that when, for example, Kherson is liberated, or, again, Luhansk, or Donetsk, or part of the Zaporizhzhya territory, it will certainly be a position of strength. Then, of course, Ukraine can say: "We offer you within the 72nd or 96th hour to leave the entire territory, withdraw all the armed forces." Yes, such a position of strength is possible," said Podolyak.
At the same time, he called the main factor the withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine.
"But still the key thing (we are coming back again) is that the Russian occupation forces must stop being on the territory of Ukraine, and that's it. And after that, any negotiation process," the adviser said.
He also reminded of the clear official position recorded by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
"This is not a question of Kherson or Luhansk or Donetsk. This is a question of the fact that a pro-Russian enclave cannot exist on the legal territory of Ukraine, the de jure territory of Ukraine — and this is the entire territory, including the occupied territories. Because this will not be a negotiating position," said Podolyak.
According to him, in this case, there will be an additional burden on the process that continues after the negotiations.