Significant tactical defeats of Russia and negative changes in the psychological state of the Russian population can become tools for starting potential negotiations with Russia, said Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, UNN reports.
If we are talking about potential negotiations - and I emphasize potential - we will have to put Russia at the table across from us. On our own terms. We have absolutely no plans to beg: "Please, sit down to negotiate". Instead, we have proven, effective means of coercion. In addition to economic and diplomatic ones, this is also a military tool. We need to inflict significant tactical defeats on Russia
He pointed out that in the Kursk region, we can clearly see how the military tool is being used objectively to "convince Russia to enter into a fair negotiation process."
An important tool is also the influence on public opinion inside Russia, which, according to Podolyak, is beginning to change when the war has come deep into their territory.
"It is a fact that citizens of the aggressor country have generally remained indifferent to the fighting until recently, because it took place in Ukraine," said an adviser to the head of the OP.
There is a certain illusion among our Western allies that there is a discussion about the war among Russians, Podolyak said. However, he noted that among Russian citizens political issues are not discussed at all.
When the war came to their territory, the Russians were obviously scared. They are shocked. Although on TV the fighting in the Kursk region is called "the famous situation in the border region," families and friends have begun to whisper about the real situation at the front. Negative changes in the psychological state of the Russian population will be another argument for starting negotiations.
FT: Україна та рф ведуть перемовини про обмін полоненими на курщині 15.08.24, 14:06