Ukraine is not prepared to compromise with Russia by giving up any territory to end the ongoing war, a senior Ukrainian official declared. This stance was emphasized when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, addressed reporters in Washington. Yermak’s visit coincided with the anticipation of the upcoming NATO summit in the US capital, where Ukraine is expected to be a central topic. This statement comes in response to US presidential candidate Donald Trump’s recent declaration that he could swiftly end the conflict if re-elected. However, Yermak made it clear that while Kyiv is open to advice on achieving a “just peace,” it will not compromise on values such as independence, freedom, democracy, territorial integrity, and sovereignty.
Trump, the Republican nominee challenging President Joe Biden, has not detailed his plan for resolving the war but suggested it involves pressuring Kyiv to negotiate with Moscow. During a debate, Trump asserted he does not accept Russian President Vladimir Putin’s terms, which include Ukraine surrendering four regions. Yermak, when asked about Trump’s potential handling of the war, expressed uncertainty and emphasized that Ukraine would continue to seek US support regardless of the administration in power. He noted that Ukraine has enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington and highlighted that most Americans still support Ukraine despite the prolonged conflict. The US has provided over $50 billion in military aid since 2022, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announcing an additional $2.3 billion in security assistance for Ukraine.
