Volodymyr Zelensky has been urged to leave Ukraine immediately as tensions between Washington and Kyiv reach a breaking point.
White House insiders warn that the situation is escalating rapidly, with Russia reportedly preparing to declare victory in the nearly three-year war.
Trump vs. Zelensky: A deepening divide
Donald Trump has openly criticized Zelensky, branding him a dictator and accusing him of dragging the US into an unwinnable war that has cost American taxpayers 350 billion dollars. Kyiv has fired back, accusing Trump of being trapped in a disinformation bubble and rejecting his recent attempts at peace talks with Moscow.
Amid the diplomatic fallout, a source close to the White House told the New York Post that the best option for Zelensky would be to flee to France immediately. Another insider suggested that Ukraine needs fresh leadership, hinting that the Biden-Trump divide over Ukraine has been building for months.
Russia poised to declare victory
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency warns that Russia is just days away from declaring victory in what the Kremlin is framing as a triumph over NATO. According to sources, Vladimir Putin may announce his so-called win on February 24, 2025, marking the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion.
Ukraine’s top intelligence official, Lt-Gen Kyrylo Budanov, says the Kremlin’s propaganda machine is ramping up efforts to undermine Ukrainian morale and discredit Kyiv among its Western allies. He claims that Putin is trying to rebrand Russia as the only side willing to negotiate peace, while labeling countries opposed to Moscow’s land grabs as enemies of peace.
Fallout over US-Ukraine mineral deal
The diplomatic rift widened after Kyiv rejected a US proposal that Ukraine should repay American military aid by handing over a portion of its rare earth minerals, oil, and gas exports. Following the rejection, the US abruptly canceled a joint press conference with Zelensky, fueling speculation about Washington’s shifting stance on the war.
Trump and Musk slam Zelensky
Trump escalated the feud with a social media tirade, claiming Zelensky is a modestly successful comedian who is about to lose his country. He also accused the Ukrainian leader of refusing to hold elections, further fueling claims that Kyiv is sliding toward authoritarian rule.
Elon Musk joined in, calling Zelensky a despised dictator and challenging him to prove his legitimacy by holding an election. He knows he would lose in a landslide, Musk posted. He will not hold an election, because he knows the truth.
Is the West preparing for a new strategy?
As Trump pushes for an end to the war, the UK and France have reportedly drafted a peacekeeping proposal involving up to 30,000 European troops on the ground in Ukraine. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to present the plan to Trump next week in Washington.
However, Putin has already dismissed the idea as unacceptable, while US officials insist that Washington is not giving in to Russia.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended Trump’s approach, stating that the administration first wants to determine if Russia is serious about peace talks. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz added that Zelensky needs to stop hurling insults at Trump, warning that his rhetoric is making negotiations harder.
What’s next for Zelensky?
Amid the war of words, Zelensky met with US envoy Keith Kellogg in Kyiv, calling the discussions productive and emphasizing Ukraine’s need for continued support. However, with US-Ukraine relations at a breaking point and Russia moving closer to declaring victory, the question remains: how much longer can Zelensky hold on?
