Ukraine is not ready for negotiations — Yermak explained why

Сurrently, Ukraine does not have enough strength to hold negotiations with Russia on ending the war on terms that would guarantee a stable peace. Dialogue is possible only if defense capabilities are strengthened.

This was stated by the Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak in an interview with Suspilne.

What hinders negotiations

According to Yermak, the main obstacles to the start of negotiations are the lack of weapons and the lack of clear guarantees that the Russian Federation will not launch a new aggression in a few years.

The head of the OP emphasized that Ukraine did not provoke the war and did not want it, and the Kremlin's statements about defense or provocations are just Russian narratives. He also emphasized that the start of negotiations is possible only if Ukraine's defense capabilities are strengthened, because now the Russian side continues to act in the language of ultimatums.

"That is why we are talking to partners today about why it is so important to strengthen Ukraine. In general, we need to break Russian narratives that Ukraine wanted war. Ukraine did not want it and did not provoke Russia in any way. The Russian Federation came here not to defend anyone, because it does not even defend its own territory — the Kursk region. It is important for Putin to continue aggression on our territory. Therefore, Ukraine must be strong in order to start negotiations, and then it will be able to talk with the Russian Federation on an equal footing. Because everything that is currently being said from the Kremlin is the language of ultimatums," Yermak said.

Previously, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that peace talks on the war in Ukraine could begin this winter.

And Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer offered holding peace talks in Vienna.