Is Ukraine strong enough to initiate talks with Russia? Yermak provides his response.

Ukraine currently lacks a sufficiently strong position to initiate negotiations with Russia. Specifically, it is short on weaponry.

This was reported by RBK-Ukraine citing an interview with Andriy Yermak, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, conducted by journalist Vadym Karpiak.

Karpiak inquired of Yermak whether Ukraine is strong enough to start negotiations with Russia at this time.

"Not yet. We lack weapons, we lack the status we talk about, we need an invitation to NATO, and clarity on the guarantees that would ensure we are confident that Putin (the Russian dictator - ed.) will not return in 2-3 years," noted the head of the Office of the President.

He emphasized the need to counter Russian narratives suggesting Ukraine is unwilling to engage in negotiations, as Ukraine did not desire war and did not provoke the Russian Federation in any way.

Ukraine's Negotiations with Russia

It is worth noting that the possibility of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia began to be considered in the West after Donald Trump was elected President of the United States.

In particular, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk recently suggested that peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia could commence this winter.

Trump advocates for a swift ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia and further negotiations. In his view, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is ready to conclude a peace agreement.