First. The Verkhovna Rada adopted the 2027 budget in the first reading. The deficit is almost 1.7 trillion hryvnias. The increase in payments to the military has so far remained a “directive” for the government to find funds. Disputes about financing the army, communities, and non-priority programs move to the second reading.
Second. Zelensky announced preparations for negotiations between Ukraine, the USA, and Russia on November 6–10 and stated that Ukraine would agree to meet even without European partners if the Americans insist on such a format.
Third. On the same day, Zelensky talked about the possibility of discussing security guarantees for Russia after the war. According to him, negotiations on territories and security guarantees for Ukraine should occur at the level of leaders.
Now let’s read these news together.
The budget is how much strength Ukraine will have tomorrow.
Allies are how much strength we can add to our own.
And negotiations are an attempt to turn this strength into results.
And here’s the paradox.
Zelensky is rushing to the negotiating table, but it’s still unclear what resources we will bring to it.
The main question: what exactly makes our position stronger?
Is the budget provided with real resources for the army? Are the parliament, communities, military, and experts involved in decision-making? Do we have an agreed position with the Europeans before talking about Europe’s future security?
After all, Putin enters negotiations not to be convinced of the fairness of our arguments. He will try to get what he could not achieve by war.
The history of negotiations with the Kremlin teaches us: readiness to talk is not yet a negotiating advantage.
So, before the next round, three things are needed: a revised budget with clear defense priorities; a joint national position developed with the involvement of parliament and professional circles; prior agreement on fundamental security issues with European allies.
These are not conditions to refuse negotiations. These are conditions to ensure they do not become a substitute for strengthening Ukraine.
Because at the negotiating table, you can only agree on what you are able to ensure outside of it.
