More support from partners will enable Ukraine to turn tide of war and defeat Russia – Podolyak

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the head of the Ukrainian President’s Office, said this in an interview with The Hill, Ukrinform reports, referring to the president’s press service.

In particular, Podolyak noted that Ukraine will be able to defeat the aggressor with the help of modern weapons from partners, which will significantly increase the capabilities of the Armed Forces, but Russia will try to prevent such a development by provoking crises in Europe.

Podolyak added that maintaining the strength of Ukrainian forces on the battlefield and effective defense against Russia make it possible to resist Putin's attempts to force Ukraine to start so-called negotiations, which will be a "death sentence" for Ukraine.

“President Zelensky is definitely against it [negotiations], and the Ukrainian society is adamant there, because we fully appreciate the risks,” he said.  

According to Podolyak, if Putin fails to involve Ukraine in such negotiations, he will most likely focus on a war of attrition, expecting a decrease in international support for Ukraine.

“They will start to manipulate, behind the scenes, moods, activities, to profess and to deepen this war fatigue,” he said, noting that Russia is capable of manufacturing crises like sending an overwhelming number of migrants to Europe’s borders. According to him, Moscow could also “think of some terrorist attacks against infrastructural facilities in Europe, so that they can arrive at some negotiation position, or standing for their own benefits and their own plans.”

The adviser to the head of the President's Office also emphasized that the sooner Ukraine receives the necessary modern weapons, the sooner it will be able to turn the tide of the war. And this has been repeatedly emphasized by the Ukrainian political and military leadership.

Podolyak added that the $3 billion in U.S. assistance goes farther than just providing physical aid. According to him, this aid is also an important signal to other, more cautious Western states regarding more active support for Ukraine.

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