Summary of "Угоди так не укладаються. Ніхто нічого не готував – Сергій Рахманін"

The video features a live interview with Serhiy Rakhmanin, a Ukrainian People's Deputy from the Holos faction and member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence, discussing recent geopolitical developments, Ukraine’s defense situation, and internal bureaucratic challenges.

Key Points:

Putin-Trump Meeting and Ukraine’s Interests:
- The upcoming meeting between Putin and Trump in Alaska is uncertain in its agenda, with no new proposals or concessions expected from Russia.
- Rakhmanin is skeptical that Trump will protect Ukrainian interests, describing both leaders as driven by personal goals rather than genuine conflict resolution.
- There is no credible basis for claims about territorial exchanges involving Ukraine. The idea originated from misunderstandings and has been repeated by some U.S. politicians, but no concrete proposals exist.
- Any notion of Ukraine exchanging large parts of Donetsk or Luhansk for other territories is dismissed as unrealistic and unconstitutional.
Risks of Diplomatic Agreements and Ukraine’s Position:
- Rakhmanin stresses that no serious agreements are being prepared in secrecy; legitimate treaties require months of diplomatic work and preparation.
- Ukraine was not involved in any potential agreements between the U.S. and Russia, so such deals would lack legal standing.
- The risk of Ukraine being blamed for unfavorable outcomes by U.S. officials like Trump is acknowledged but should not dictate Ukrainian policy.
Dependence on American Weapons and Support:
- Ukraine is dependent on certain American weapons and military-technical support, but the scale of U.S. military assistance is often overestimated.
- The real dependency is on the broader influence of the U.S., including financial aid, diplomatic backing, intelligence sharing (especially early warning systems), and control over weapons production and supply chains.
- If the U.S. decides to withdraw support, it would severely impact Ukraine’s military and economic situation, beyond just weapons supply.
Internal Challenges: Ukrainian Bureaucracy and Defense Industry:
- Cooperation with Germany’s Rheinmetall on building an artillery ammunition plant in Ukraine faces delays due to excessive Ukrainian bureaucracy and slow regulatory processes.
- Land acquisition for defense projects is particularly problematic, deterring foreign investment despite security risks being understood by partners.
- The Ministry of Defense suffers less from corruption and more from poor organization and lack of executive discipline, causing slow decision-making and regulatory delays.
Changes in the Ministry of Defense Leadership:
- The new Defense Minister, Denys Shmyhal (former Prime Minister), is actively engaging with the defense sector and trying to improve decision-making and planning processes.
- While it is too early to assess the full impact of his leadership, initial signs show increased involvement and some energy in addressing longstanding issues.
- The minister’s effectiveness will depend on his independence and the degree of interference from the President’s office.

Contributors:

Serhiy Rakhmanin, People's Deputy of Ukraine (Holos faction), Member of Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence
Oleksiy Tarasov, Radio NV presenter and interviewer