In a live interview, journalist and publicist Vitaliy Portnikov commented on President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent statements and the ongoing prospects for peace in Donbas. He emphasized that the recent remarks provide no sensational revelations but echo points made by American politicians and reflect some within the US establishment.
Portnikov points out that calls for withdrawing Ukrainian troops from Donbas are based on the idea of a swift end to the war, a concept he believes is grounded in myth and supported by Vladimir Putin as a central demand. However, he doubts such a move would end the conflict. Instead, he argues that any compromise of this sort would create deep divisions in Ukrainian society and could destabilize the political and military spheres, ultimately benefiting Russia.
Portnikov highlights important legal complications. Ukraine’s current Constitution does not allow for a referendum on ceding territory. Changing this would require years of legislative steps, including amendments, elections, and ending martial law. Thus, he sees any paper-based compromise as unworkable in practice, as such measures are virtually impossible to implement.
According to Portnikov, today's negotiation process is essentially window dressing, lacking real prospects for agreement. He is skeptical about the potential for genuine peace deals and notes that key negotiators often act out of political or personal motivations rather than legal expertise.
Portnikov also focused on shifting US geopolitical strategy and reduced security guarantees for European allies, which he warns increases future risks for Europe. He concludes that real outcomes in the war depend on military action and the stance of core international players, not rhetorical agreements or formal statements.
The final part of the interview addressed Zelensky's team and the ongoing lack of a permanent presidential chief of staff. Portnikov believes this does not impact government efficiency significantly, as Ukraine’s personalized model of governance allows the president to concentrate decision-making power.
