Ukranian MP: 'You have to punch Putin first before you negotiate' | DW News

Ukranian Member of Parliament Oleksandra Ustinova sat down with DW's Buerau Chief Ines Pohl in Washington to discuss the return of President Trump to the White House and what it means for her country. They also discussed the current situation and how strong and important the support from Europe has become over the last year. Ustinova said that Trump's multiple meetings with Zelensky indicate that Ukraine is a priority for him and that he has a crucial role in resolving the conflict. In the interview, Oleksandra Ustinova emphasized the approach needed to negotiate with Putin, stating: "To negotiate with Putin, you have to punch him first, then punch him again and then sit down at the negotiation table." This suggests that she believes in demonstrating strength and resolve before engaging in discussions. Regarding her hopes for Trump, Ustinova expressed confidence that, as a negotiator and businessman, Trump understands the importance of presenting a strong front. She mentioned that she has "big hopes that there will be a change of attitude and deliverables will be speeded up," indicating her belief that Trump could potentially expedite the delivery of weapons and support to Ukraine, thereby improving their position for negotiations. Ustinova stressed the importance of receiving adequate weapons and new technologies to strengthen Ukraine's position for negotiations. She reiterated that without these resources, Ukraine remains at a weak negotiating stance against Russia. Ustinova mentioned that many Republican senators support providing advanced weaponry to Ukraine, indicating a potential shift in U.S. policy towards stronger military assistance, which has been crucial for Ukraine's defense. She highlighted the increasing role of European nations in supporting Ukraine, noting that a significant portion of military aid and resources has come from Europe rather than the United States. This reflects a growing recognition in Europe of the war's implications for their security. For more news go to: http://www.dw.com/en/ For more news, analysis and background information on the German election 2025 go to our dedicated page: https://www.dw.com/en/german-election-2025/t-70794502 Follow DW on social media: ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwnews ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dwnews ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deutschewellenews/ ►Twitter: https://twitter.com/dwnews Für Videos in deutscher Sprache besuchen Sie: https://www.youtube.com/dwdeutsch Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/deutschewelleenglish?sub_confirmation=1 #Ukraine #VladimirPutin #DonaldTrump