Andriy Yermak. Photo: The official website of the President of Ukraine.
The head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, who is an adviser and confidant of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stressed the importance of understanding the new threats posed by Russia’s aggression, TimeUkraineIsrael reports, citing the Italian edition of Corriere della Sera.
The threat from North Korea
In the interview, which lasted almost an hour and a half, Yermak said that there was information about North Korean soldiers being deployed to the Kursk front to take part in hostilities against Ukraine. According to him, this indicates that North Korea is actually taking part in the war on the side of Russia. “Our allies confirm that North Korean units are ready for action,” he said.
Yermak stressed that Ukraine needs more military assistance, including the lifting of restrictions on strikes on Russian territory. “It is not enough just to stop the fighting, we need to prevent new aggression,” he said, adding that the risks of escalation concern not only Ukraine but also neighbouring countries.
Cooperation with NATO and the United States
Yermak noted that despite the difficulties, Ukraine remains a reliable ally. He noted that over the past three years, Ukraine has demonstrated the effectiveness of assistance from Western partners. “We did not ask NATO to take part in this conflict, we are fighting on our own, but we need support,” he stressed.
The head of the President’s Office also commented on Zelenskyy’s recent meetings with American leaders, noting that both US presidential candidates reaffirmed their support for Ukraine. “No American leader intends to support autocracy,” he added.
Negotiations and peace conditions
Discussing the peace talks, Yermak said that Ukraine would not accept territorial compromises. “For us, Crimea and Donbas remain Ukrainian, they are not subject to discussion,” he stressed. Yermak noted that Ukraine is ready to listen to other initiatives, but only if the situation before the Russian invasion is restored.
“We will be ready to hold an international conference when we feel the strength and support of the global south for negotiations with Russia,” he concluded.
