Democratically elected President of Ukraine must define where and how to take the war – Jake Sullivan, United States National Security Advisor

The democratically elected President of Ukraine must make the decision of where and how to take the war, said Jake Sullivan, the US President’s National Security Advisor, when asked whether he agreed with the suggestion by Henry Kissinger that the Ukrainian forces push the Russians back to the 2014 borders, and leave the territories that were taken then to negotiation. He made these remarks during an interview with Fareed Zakaria, Host, Fareed Zakaria GPS, CNN, at the 17th Yalta European Strategy (YES) Annual Meeting «Ukraine: Defending All Our Freedom», organised by YES in partnership with the Victor Pinchuk Foundation.

“The democratically elected Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has to make the decision about where and how to take the war, as he is responsible to the Ukrainian people for the objectives of this war. The US’ main interest in this war is a support in restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity either through negotiations or at the battlefield. Our job is to strengthen Ukraine’s hand on the battlefield and to support them in their fight, and also when they are ready to negotiate. Zelenskyy has always said that the war will end in negotiation but it is up to Ukraine to decide the shape of those negotiations.” Sullivan said.

Sullivan also noted the positive outcome of the Ukrainian army’s counteroffensive in the south and in Kharkiv Region.

“The Ukrainian armed forces have made advances and pushed back the Russian lines in the south and the east, the pressure the Ukrainians are putting on the Russians in Kharkiv and Kherson is having an effect, Ukraine is going to contest these areas and not simply let Russia take them – and we are proud to be supporting the Ukrainian armed forces with a steady supply of military equipment, and financial support in their efforts.

This counteroffensive demonstrates, among other things, that it is not possible to say Russia has taken over the occupied territories forever and will impose its political system there. This is an important signal both at the military and tactical level and at the diplomatic and political level.” Sullivan said.