Washington/Riyadh: The increasing US-Russia alliance is raising the stakes for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who appears to be caught between a rock and a hard place, which will dictate his political future. Donald Trump Hits Back At Zelenskyy While Suggesting Ukraine Hold New Elections.
The US-Russian high-level meeting in Saudi Arabia to discuss the war has excluded Ukraine, exacerbating the situation. Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week will intensify the controversy surrounding Zelenskyy’s political future.
Trump slams Zelenskyy
After the U.S.-Russia meeting in Riyadh, Trump told U.S. media that Zelenskyy’s approval rating declined to 4%. He added that Ukraine needs to hold elections to see if the public still supports its leadership.
Zelenskyy’s five-year term, which began amid questions over his legitimacy that have persisted ever since and have been significantly raised by Russia, officially ended in May 2024. But he stayed in office without holding new elections because of the war.
Meaningful U.S.-Russia discussions take place without Ukraine
Senior officials from the U.S. and Russia met in Riyadh Tuesday to discuss the Ukraine war, but not a single Ukrainian was invited to the table. According to the report, the two nations agreed on four points during the meeting, one of which involved assigning senior negotiators for peace talks.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “Through these talks, we aim to reach a common solution to the dispute that is acceptable to all sides.” The announcement of no official details has sparked legitimate doubts about Ukraine’s role in determining its own future.
The Anticipated Meeting Between Trump and Putin
Trump has indicated that he may meet Putin face-to-face later this month. The talks came after a 90-minute phone call earlier in the day, during which the two discussed the situation in Ukraine extensively. However, Trump did not specify the location of the meeting, including whether it would take place in Saudi Arabia, Russia, or the U.S.
A Shift in Ukraine’s Political Landscape
New evidence shows Ukraine is growing tired of Zelenskyy. In a recent poll, only 40% of Ukrainians still have faith in him, while ex-Ukrainian army head Valerii Zaluzhnyi possesses a staggering 72% popularity. Zelenskyy recently made Zaluzhnyi ambassador to the UK, a move seen as an attempt to distance him from the political space and head off speculation that the general might threaten his hold on power.
At the same time, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin is willing to negotiate only if the issue of Zelenskyy’s legitimacy is resolved. This implies that the Russians would take peace talks more seriously if Ukraine changed leadership.
Europe’s Role in the Crisis
Regarding the possibility of European military involvement, he said, “Ukraine and Europe need help if they are going to put in a peacekeeping force” and, “Do I think we have to do that? But, he explained, Washington won’t be part of it because of location.
What it means for Ukraine in the future
As the war in Ukraine enters its second year, the geopolitical dynamics seem to be shifting. The U.S. and Russia are now conversing over President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s head. If Trump and Putin hold the meeting they are expected to, it could help create the negotiating environment that Ukraine-style diplomacy needs to change the course of the war.
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