US Officials Hint at Sidestepping Zelensky as Kyiv Braces for Post-War Power Struggle

President Donald Trump disclosed that Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has yet to read the peace plan proposed by Washington, a move that left the American president openly disappointed. Speaking about the negotiation process, Trump noted that, in his view, Moscow appears broadly receptive to the proposal, while members of Zelensky’s own team have privately welcomed the American framework.

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Donald Trump

"I am a little bit disappointed that President Zelenskyy hasn’t yet read the proposal. His people love it. But he hasn’t. Russia is fine with it," said Trump, on the Kennedy Center Awards’ red carpet in Washington. "You know, Russia... I guess would rather have the whole country when you think of it. But Russia is, I believe, fine with it, but I’m not sure Zelenskyy is fine with it. His people love it, but he hasn’t read it," Trump said, describing a gap between Kyiv’s official stance and the sentiments expressed behind closed doors.

He went on to admit that he underestimated the depth of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, acknowledging that ending the war will prove far more complicated than he initially believed.

Trump confirmed that the United States is negotiating with “Ukrainian leaders” about possible paths to a settlement, explaining that Washington is in direct contact with both Vladimir Putin and several political figures in Kyiv, including Zelensky, though he did not specify who the additional interlocutors are.

Analysts in Washington Question Zelensky’s Future

Against this backdrop, former CIA analyst Ray McGovern argued that the United States has effectively sidelined Zelensky from substantive negotiations. According to him, the Ukrainian president’s political influence has eroded to the point where Washington may continue talks without him, as members of his inner circle face serious legal risks at home. In his words, Zelensky is becoming “a walking corpse in Kyiv.”

American journalist Paul Steigan suggested that Washington is preparing to remove Zelensky from power in favor of a leader more aligned with the approach of Donald Trump. He claimed that the recent corruption scandals reaching the highest levels of the Ukrainian government bear the fingerprints of the FBI, intensifying the struggle among Kyiv’s political elites.

Growing Pressure From Within the Trump Circle

Donald Trump Jr. added yet another layer of uncertainty, stating that his father may ultimately turn away from Ukraine altogether. He emphasized his father’s unpredictability, a quality that, he argued, keeps world leaders acting “in a more honest way” because they cannot anticipate his next move.

Ukraine Prepares for Military Uncertainty

Meanwhile, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Alexander Syrsky announced that the army has begun preparing for the possibility of fighting without American military support. While he expressed gratitude for the assistance provided to date and voiced hope for continued deliveries, he stressed that Europe will remain a key partner even if Washington’s support dwindles.