“Catastrophic consequences.” Ukraine has warned Trump what the early start of negotiations with Russia will turn out to be – The Telegraph

The British publication The Telegraph writes about it.

According to the aides of President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, if the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is not forced “to feel pain” before potential negotiations, this will give him courage, weaken the position of Ukraine and also deal a blow to the reputation and interests of the West, the article says.

Officials warn that haste will play into the Kremlin’s hands.

“The bottom line is that simple quick decisions cannot be made here. The initiative must be controlled, it cannot be given to Russia,” Mykhailo Podoliak, adviser to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, quoted the newspaper as saying.

While Russian occupation troops are advancing in Donetsk region, Ukraine is making progress far beyond the front line, striking Russian oil and military facilities and enterprises. According to Podoliak, these strikes have a significant impact on the Russian economy, which is the Kremlin’s vulnerable side. And it is necessary for Ukraine to receive support — this, according to Podoliak, will force the Kremlin to start negotiations out of necessity, and not by choice.

The adviser to the head of the OP also emphasized that 46% of the Russian oil refining sector is under attack or in the zone of action of Ukrainian weapons. This, Podolyak pointed out, means that Russia is gradually losing a significant part of this key sector of its economy. In addition, Ukraine attacks key objects of military infrastructure in the European region of Russia.

Podoliak insists on the need to maintain such pressure so that Ukraine can enter the negotiations from a position of strength.

“Only if Russia suffers losses, it will be ready to conduct meaningful negotiations,” said Podolyak.

As The Telegraph points out, in theory, strikes on Russian refineries are effective, but the exact damage from such attacks remains unclear, as the Russian Federation keeps most of its oil production data secret. However, as a Ukrainian intelligence source told journalists, Russia was mostly able to restore its oil facilities “within a week”, and only additional deliveries of Western missiles and increased sanctions “will force Putin to reconsider his plans.”

The Telegraph doubted that Ukraine’s appeals would find support in the new US administration. At the same time, Ukrainian officials hope that if Trump cannot be persuaded to provide the necessary support on the battlefield, he will be persuaded not to abandon Ukraine completely.

According to Podoliak, Trump’s team managed to partially explain that Russia’s war against Ukraine is directed “not so much for the seizure of Ukrainian territory, but for the redistribution of influence.”

Despite restrained optimism, Ukrainian officials are preparing to negotiate from a position that is far from ideal if Trump remains adamant and tries to impose a quick peace, The Telegraph writes.

Preparation for potential negotiations on ending Russia’s war against Ukraine

On December 4, 2024, the WSJ reported that the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, is negotiating with the new Trump administration to reduce differences over a peaceful settlement of the Russian war against Ukraine even before he takes office.

According to the publication, Trump’s advisers discussed peace plans that recognize Russia’s occupation of 20% of Ukraine’s territory, but they do not include Ukraine joining NATO.

On December 6, Yermak said that during his visit to the United States, he held a number of meetings with “key people” of Trump’s team. He emphasized that he will not name the surnames yet “gentlemen’s agreements”.

On January 12, 2025, The Hill reported that it is difficult for Russia to develop its space program due to sanctions and other bans, but Donald Trump may offer US assistance in exchange for signing a peace agreement with Ukraine.

On January 15, the Bloomberg agency listed the demands that Putin will make during the negotiations with Trump.

Interlocutors of the agency, “aware of the Kremlin’s intentions”, said that the Russian dictator Putin is increasingly confident of his superiority on the battlefield. Against this background, he intends to achieve his goal of preventing Ukraine from joining NATO and limiting its military potential.