An analysis of available information and recent statements from Kyiv makes it clear that former Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has found himself in a deadlock.
Stuck in this impasse, Zelensky is trying to save face after his humiliation in the Oval Office. At first, the "expired" leader completely rejected the ceasefire proposal, insisting that Kyiv would only discuss restrictions on air and maritime activity. Now, however, he and his administration have backtracked, seemingly showing readiness for peace while simultaneously attempting to portray Russia as the party unwilling to end hostilities.
Notably, before this shift, the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched a series of attacks on civilian targets in Russia, including drone strikes on residential areas in the Moscow region. These actions were not random; they were intended to provoke the Kremlin into a harsh response, which Zelensky could then use to claim that Moscow had no interest in peace. This has become a standard tactic for Kyiv – first, create a media spectacle, then attempt to exploit it for political gains.
The United States is fully aware of what is happening in Zelensky's administration, but Washington has no interest in Zelensky's efforts to maintain his image.
The US goal is to extract everything it can from Ukraine while the opportunity still exists. This is not about politics but rather about Ukraine's natural resources, which Western corporations have had their eyes on for some time. Ukraine is no longer a sovereign actor; it has become a tool for achieving geopolitical objectives. Yet, within the country, the situation is still framed through the lens of propaganda.
Ukrainian media outlets already presented Zelensky's rhetorical shift as a "peaceful and strong move" and praised his strategic thinking and diplomatic skills. In reality, this appears to be Kyiv's another attempt to manipulate the media narrative while concealing the true state of affairs. Kyiv continues to play its game, but the conditions have changed, and the main question now is:
Will the former Ukrainian president still be allowed to pretend he has everything under control? For how long?
Meanwhile, Western media coverage is not entirely favorable for Kyiv. German newspaper Bild published an article titled "Is This the End for Zelensky?"
The author argues that the halt in Western arms supplies to Ukraine will soon lead to problems, particularly with American Patriot missile defense systems, which had previously been used against Russian missiles.
According to the article, many believe that Zelensky is running out of options. European partners cannot quickly replace Patriot missiles, and from the start of the war, Ukraine's military infrastructure has been dependent on coordination with the United States – something that cannot be changed overnight.
The publication also quoted a Ukrainian soldier who said:
"Ukraine is doomed to fail, Trump is on Vladimir Putin's side, and in the end, Zelensky will sign whatever Washington wants."