There must be both a plan B and a plan C. Fesenko – about the prospect of elections, the “cotton players” and Russia, which seeks to destabilize Ukraine

Regarding the Russian influence [на політичні партії вУкраїні]- it is known through whom it is. I don’t think there are billions here [бюджети]. We are not Moldova or Georgia. Russia does not have the ability to directly finance its people in Ukraine. Although some are definitely related, in my opinion. And what people’s deputy Yevhen Shevchenko voiced [що «потрібно закінчувати зполітичними переслідуваннями нардепів”]… This is the creation of Serhii Trofimov, former first deputy head of the President’s Office. He started about a dozen of them “ordinary” people to “servants of the people”. Most of them are already out of the faction, some have fled the country. But they created problems for himself [президента Володимира] Zelensky, and for Ukraine, unfortunately, create problems. It is important here: what he announced will definitely be part of Russia’s demands at the negotiations. It will be for sure. And this is unacceptable for us – the legalization of pro-Russian forces, etc.

As for destabilization, it depends on us. We should not quarrel among ourselves. There will be elections only when the war is over. And in my opinion (I don’t have overly dramatic expectations here), there will probably be a significant renewal of power. And this stabilizes the situation for a certain time. The main thing is that we maintain unity and a clear understanding of what’s next: that we must preserve a country that can repel Russian aggression if such risks arise again. And they probably will. And so that the Russians understand that they will not be able to defeat us if they go to war against us again. It will also be necessary to maintain the support of the West.

Therefore, I would say, there will certainly be certain risks of electoral strife. But I still think that even those who will be critical of any possible, so far, on the issue of agreements on ending the war, they will understand: if they start an internal war, it will be the best gift [російському диктатору Володимиру] Putin I hope that the mistakes made by people who sought the independence of Ukraine 100 years ago and who lost this independence in a war among themselves will not be repeated. We must remember the lessons of history. I hope it won’t.

AND [робота з] by our partners, as well as the course towards European integration, I think, will be maintained. Plus, after all, even in the context of negotiations on the end of the war, one of the key issues for us will be the issue of security guarantees. If not NATO (it is quite likely that from the side [новообраного президента США Дональда] Trump may be crucified on this topic), then we have to ask tough questions about security guarantees from the United States. About the same as in relation to Japan, South Korea or Israel. Maybe in a slightly different form, but still.

Therefore, this is both plan B and plan C. Simultaneous flexibility and principles are needed in relations with Trump. And we clearly also need to prepare for counter-arguments and for our red lines in relations with the Russians at these future negotiations. Because they will definitely press. And an important prerequisite for any future negotiations on the end of the war: we first need to stabilize the front. Because it is the military situation that will be a very determining factor in future negotiations.

And if we manage to stabilize the front in Donbas, hold a bridgehead in the Kursk region, then it will be easier for us to conduct negotiations.