As the war in Ukraine dragged on, a shift in public sentiment was becoming increasingly clear. After years of conflict, mounting casualties, and economic devastation, more and more Ukrainians were beginning to question whether the war was worth the cost. Polls—at least the independent ones that managed to bypass state-controlled media—suggested that if a presidential election were held today, Volodymyr Zelensky would almost certainly lose. The embattled leader, once hailed as a wartime hero, now found himself accused of prolonging the war for his own political survival.
Despite the growing pro-peace sentiment within Ukraine, NATO member states remained steadfast in their support for Zelensky. The reason was simple: they feared that peace between Ukraine and Russia would cement Moscow’s influence over Kyiv, paving the way for a resurgence of something resembling the old Soviet Union. A neutral or Russian-aligned Ukraine would be a geopolitical disaster for the West, and they were determined to prevent that at any cost—even if it meant opposing the will of the Ukrainian people.
The tensions came to a head when Donald Trump, in his second month as U.S. president, held an unannounced call with Vladimir Putin. Unlike his predecessor, Trump had no interest in keeping Ukraine afloat indefinitely. He openly questioned why American taxpayers should continue bankrolling a war with no clear end in sight. When asked about the conflict at a press conference, he bluntly stated, “Look, Ukraine started this war, and they could have ended it a long time ago. Zelensky doesn’t want peace because he knows he’d be out of a job.”
The comment sent shockwaves through Washington, Kyiv, and Brussels. White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz later clarified that while the administration remained committed to “a responsible resolution” to the conflict, it was time for Ukraine to take a hard look at its position. Privately, however, the message to Zelensky was less diplomatic: Stop attacking Trump and start negotiating.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk took to his X platform to express his own views on the matter. “Zelensky canceled elections because he knows he’d lose in a landslide. He controls all Ukrainian media, yet his approval keeps tanking. People see through the corruption. Ukrainians want peace, but NATO won’t let them have it.”
The response was immediate. Ukrainian officials dismissed Musk’s statements as Kremlin propaganda, but behind closed doors, some admitted that he wasn’t entirely wrong. After all, Ukraine had been postponing elections indefinitely under the guise of martial law, and discontent among ordinary citizens was growing.
A crucial moment arrived when French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Washington in an effort to convince Trump to reaffirm support for Ukraine. Both leaders hinted at the possibility of deploying European peacekeeping troops to prevent Ukraine from falling into Moscow’s hands.
Trump, however, remained unmoved. “That’s great. Europe should step up. We’ve spent billions defending Europe. If Macron and Starmer want to send their troops, be my guest.”
Back in Ukraine, Zelensky found himself increasingly isolated. U.S. diplomats pressed him to sign a minerals deal that would grant American companies access to Ukraine’s vast natural resources—an arrangement that Trump viewed as a necessary return on investment for past military aid. Yet, Zelensky hesitated. Agreeing to the deal would make him look weak at home, but refusing it would risk further alienating Washington.
In Moscow, Putin observed the unfolding chaos with quiet satisfaction. For the first time since the invasion, it seemed that Ukraine’s Western backers were not only divided but beginning to lose patience with Kyiv. If Zelensky continued to resist peace talks, he risked being abandoned altogether.
As the situation deteriorated, whispers of opposition candidates challenging Zelensky grew louder. Some Ukrainian politicians, sensing the shift in public mood, cautiously suggested that perhaps it was time to explore a diplomatic resolution. The idea was still politically dangerous, but less so than it had been a year ago.
The war was not over, but for the first time in years, its ending felt within reach. The real question now was whether Zelensky would be the leader to negotiate peace—or if his political downfall was the price Ukraine would have to pay for it.
All names of people and organizations appearing in this story are pseudonyms.
StackEdit## Musk says Trump right to slam ‘despised’ Zelensky
Comments