Agreement with Russia is 'deal with the devil,' adviser to Ukrainian president says
https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-zelenskyy-podolyak-32cf93a025c3c713ce861c8e279328be
Agreement with Russia is deal with the devil, adviser to Ukrainian president says
BY ANDREW MELDRUM AND SAMYA KULLAB
Updated 5:56 AM EDT, July 26, 2024
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)
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A deal would only buy time for Russian President Vladimir Putin to strengthen his army and usher in another, potentially more violent chapter in the war, Mykhailo Podolyak told The Associated Press in an interview Thursday.
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It is a view held across Zelenskyys camp and reflected broadly among Ukrainians. But it also increasingly comes up against the current of Western pressure, as Kyiv continues to face difficult front-line conditions against Moscows larger, better equipped army, as well as uncertainty over the level of future political support from Ukraines closest ally, the U.S.
War fatigue also appears to be eroding the morale of Ukrainians, who have struggled with constant bombardment, electricity outages and the loss of loved ones. A poll by the Kyiv International Institute for Sociology found that the number of Ukrainians opposed to territorial concessions to Russia in exchange for peace has continued to fall. It was 55% in July, compared with 74% in December.
Even Zelenskyy hinted at a willingness to negotiate with Russia for the first time since the 2022 full-scale invasion, suggesting Moscow should send a delegation to the next global peace summit, which is expected in November.
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