Mr. Podoliak, four days after Russia attacked Ukraine, peace talks began.

You are Kiev's negotiator.

How are the talks going?

Gerhard Gnauck

Political correspondent for Poland, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania based in Warsaw.

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You are making very difficult progress.

In the beginning, the Russian side spoke the language of ultimatums.

Now it is more constructive, there is a basis for dialogue, even if it remains trapped in its propaganda clichés and illusions.

Our President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly spoken about what is important for us: a ceasefire, the fastest possible withdrawal of Russian troops, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.

And in order for this war not to happen again, we absolutely need precise security guarantees from a number of countries that have significant military potential.

We don't want to achieve short-term, situational successes at the expense of the global security tools that are important to us.

Why is it so difficult?

Because the Russian Federation has not yet realized how far it has fallen.

When Russia fully understands the strength of Ukraine and international sanctions, talks will be more constructive.

Which deep fall do you mean?

First, Russia has managed to create an image of itself as a monster to be afraid of.

But the image of Russia's military strength is now shattered.

Second, Russia's reputation as a responsible member of the world community has been ruined.

Third, the same applies to Russia as a member of the world economy: Today, the world wants to sever economic and financial ties with Russia.

Fourth, Russia is in decline in the eyes of its own elite.

And fifth, most importantly, we are witnessing the decline of his moral authority.

Russia has shown that its great cultural tradition has a hypocritical ring to it.

This will be a very deep fall for the Russians.

What kind of culture is it when it forms a nation that then invades a neighboring country

Media reported that the concept of Ukraine's future neutral status as a state was being negotiated.

We are not discussing neutrality today.

Ukraine insists on a system of security guarantees involving states that are willing to provide these guarantees, including in the military sense.

A lot of other things depend on that.

This is our starting position.

Would the system be conceivable without America?

No.

And what about Crimea and eastern Ukraine?

For us, the territorial integrity of the country is very important.

That is a difficult question.

Only the Presidents of Ukraine and Russia can solve them.

When could this multilateral treaty on peace and security guarantees, as you call it, be signed?

Then, when Russia realizes that a continuation of this war will result in greater losses for itself than for Ukraine.

For that to happen, our army needs to work efficiently, and to do that, we need adequate support from our partners.

If you don't want to set up a no-fly zone, give us air defense systems so that we can control the skies ourselves so that peaceful cities are not bombed.

Second: give us weapons to end the siege of cities like Mariupol.

Thirdly, sanctions such as an oil embargo against Russia, maximum restrictions on financial transactions and the like are necessary.

Are Ukrainians disappointed in NATO?

We are grateful for the help of Western countries.

As for the Alliance, it's the job of NATO's militaries to anticipate the risks of wars, or to counter them when they arise.

That's their job.

And now they say: war in Ukraine?

No, no, this is not our war.

But the war goes on, and it is already a piece of World War III.

That surprises us.

Also: why did they declare so early on that they would not intervene in the event of a war?

This tempted Russia to escalate.

Can we learn something from Ukraine?

Check out Zelenskyj's ability to respond to challenges.

If you want to be a leader, if you want to lead, then take responsibility.

And don't measure everything in dollars or euros.

I understand the burden of history on Germany's shoulders.

But – take responsibility.

And one more thing: do not support the Russian Federation.

From a historical perspective, this is not a promising thing.