Further Options for Zelensky in Peace-Talks
Onset & Further Course of War
Today when Ukraine has become a chessboard for wargame between Russia and NATO for the last 3 yrs, it may not be out of place for one of the two main warring parties or nations to take initiative to end the war. The two main warring nations are USA among NATO and Russia on the other side. It is very unfortunate that Ukrainian President has not yet realized these basic facts and has let its own nations and nationals to the perils in someone else’s wargame. Even the UNSC couldn’t prevent the spoils and that was highly deplorable (read “Failure of the UN in ensuring world peace”, https://thecounterviews.in/articles/failure-of-the-un-ensuring-world-peace/). The result is massive destruction of Ukraine and that will continue if the war continues. It is no secret that >95% of the military hardware being used comes from NATO (~80% from USA alone) and nearly 70% of the death & disabilities are inflicted on the Ukrainians. Hence, when President Trump has taken the initiative to end this war, none should become hurdle in it. Of course, it should be ensured that the peace-deal is fair for all parties.
The Sulking Partners
Ukrainian President Zelensky is sulking on the new US Administration who has apparently denied any more funding for this unwanted war. Officially, US has provided military aid/assistance worth ~$350 billion BUT unofficial accounts indicate it to be over $600 billion. Trump during his electoral campaigns had sought to end the war essentially to prevent any further wastages of US money. Hence, he wants to bring the warring parties on the negotiation table for peace talks. However, Ukraine assisted by some EU nations seem defiant. Hence, Trump has engaged directly with Putin with Zelensky sidelined, at least for now. World knows that Zelensky has been trying to create unfounded fear among NATO and EU member States that if Ukraine loses, Putin will attack their nations too, which is absolutely unfounded. He may be thinking he has succeeded in fooling them BUT the comedian possibly lives in fool’s paradise (read “NATO must remain wary of Zelensky’s motives”, https://thecounterviews.in/articles/nato-must-remain-warry-to-zelensky-motives/). US President has conveyed him in no uncertain terms to work out a logical peace-deal, but Zelensky lives in own world, aloof of the ground realities.
It is no secret that EU member states, esp the NATO members are feeling hurt by Trump's unilateral decision to involve directly with Russia for a possible ceasefire. Going by EU's assertions to Ukraine of their continued support despite USA backtracking, doesn't give Zelensky the military strength to counter Russia. Hence, during 24 Feb 25 meeting in Kiev, EU members had possibly advised him to be insistant of seeking security guaranty before signing any deal. This is what apparently back-fired in his meeting with Trump on 28 Feb 25. Now, with US support withdrawn, Zelensky has no option but to sign on the dotted lines for ceasefire on other's terms. In doing so, Zelensky has hurt not only own prestige but also has divided the NATO and EU States.
Trump’s Approach finding Headwinds
After Trump Administration started their 2nd term, world looks a bit different. All parasites thriving on US funds are looking for new hosts to suck blood. Some international agencies like WHO will have to reconcile to the new reality that they will be short on funds. Recipients of USAID the world over, are sulking. There is a new tariff war starting with USA spearheading the terms of conditions. Beyond all these and most importantly, even Israel had to swallow an unpalatable ceasefire deal with Hamas that they had been long resisting and now Ukraine has been asked to prepare itself to gulp the bitter option of ceasefire with Russia on US terms of conditions. When Zelensky tried to express his displeasure, President Trump wasted no time to call him a dictator trying to put Ukraine in the ruins (read “Zelensky turning a happy Ukraine into hell”, https://thecounterviews.in/articles/zelenskyy-turning-a-happy-ukraine-into-hell/). All stakeholders know it but are reluctant to air their views publicly for own reasons.
Trump in his 2nd term in Whitehouse looks different…much determined to stamp his authority, trying to prevent wastage of American funds. So, all Communist and Left-sponsored recipients of American funds are cursing the new administration. Purely for financial reasons, Trump wants to stop the Ukraine war that was primarily started by Russia following a long incitement by US-led and NATO-sponsored Ukraine. That was Biden’s USA 3 yrs back, quite different from what Trump is leading today. So, if Trump-led USA has been able to pass an UNSC resolution to stop the war without criticizing Russia for starting it, and without Russia or China Vetoing or abstaining, there are numerous many things to be read in-between the lines discussed elsewhere. May be Biden was wrong to have prepared the grounds for this war to start in first place and then unable to stop thereafter despite Ukraine losing vast grounds. USA’s new approach has surely divided the American allies the world over and worst, the NATO itself BUT whatever be the price, it must be stopped. Today EU has started thinking of having adequate European forces for own security and not depend on US-led NATO.
One fact is before the entire world that cost of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war is very imposing on all parties…be it Ukraine, Russia or the NATO. This war and the sanctions imposed by Europe on Russia has had many cascading effects too; that has also sky-rocketed the cost of energy and overall living in Europe. Besides, funding Ukraine to carry out fighting the war has been proving extremely expansive for the EU members of NATO. The terms and conditions to re-imburse the cost of the military hardware provided by NATO was deliberately kept vague. However, as the cost kept mounting, the discomfiture of bearing it possibly came in for initial discussions. It appears that Zelensky had committed to bear some of the cost by leasing out its rare mineral mines. USA wants Zelensky to commit meeting part of the massive cost USA has borne. British premier who has just signed a 100 yr partnership with Ukraine, may also be feeling the heat. The UK and USA cannot afford to be on different pages with another military alliance in place called AUKUS. Other prominent NATO members too are exploring the means as to how to re-imburse at least a part of the cost they have borne out till now.
Options for Zelensky
The options before Zelensky are very limited. Firstly, he can no longer fool the NATO/EU members that they are equal stakeholder in the ongoing war which can be funded for free. Every NATO member who has provided military hardware and funds now want their pound of flesh. Zelensky has tried to convince them that he could lease out the rare mineral field BUT how much? USA has already demanded Zelensky sign a deal on the funding for the war (read “US demands Zelensky to sign rare earth mineral deal”, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/20/us-envoy-cancels-press-conference-with-ukraines-zelenskyy-after-kyiv-talks). Zelensky is facing a revolt within Ukraine itself if he leases out the precious mineral fields/mines to NATO members. The second limitation for Zelensky is that if USA stops military hardware, Russia may find it an easy walk thru’ the larger Ukrainian territories. It is in the favour of Ukraine to prevent any further loss of territories by entering a negotiation with Russia. Longer he drags his feet, more he will lose. The third option that Zelensky seeks, is to have NATO/EU boots on Ukrainian ground in the form of peacekeepers. This is illogical and dangerous because Russia will consider them as NATO forces thus leading to higher escalations that will threaten a direct NATO-Russia war on Ukrainian territory.
Zelensky, a comedian president, has doomed Ukraine. While nearly 25% of its territories have been won over by Russia, more than 60% of its military personnel are either dead or incapacitated. Ukrainian women and children living in different EU States are facing severe crunch and being exploited and some even pushed to flesh trade. Nearly 30-35% of Ukrainian infrastructures are in rubbles and the cost of living has skyrocketed. Its food productions and exports have been dented severely. Its Black Sea route of import/export from/to the outside world has almost stopped. Ukrainian purchasing power of the military hardware is almost nil, and it is in serious pressure to lease out the rare mineral mines. EU members of NATO are yet to forward their bills of expenses. In a nutshell, Ukraine is in serious problem of becoming bankrupt. It is quite possible that Ukrainian population may decide to get rid of him in a bitter manner.
The Bottom-Lines
President Donald Trump taking an initiative to end or at least pause the Russia-Ukraine war, has shown his courage to catch the bull by horns. He may be right to point out that this war should not have started in the first place, but it did. All parties…be it Ukraine, Russia or NATO have borne out huge cost with the former having paid and suffered the most. Trump may be thinking right as a businessman BUT his approach may not be the best one. He has antagonized many of the stakeholders in this war which is not congenial for his various allies. He must include Ukraine in the peace talks. Of course, USA has spent a lot in funding the war that needs to be reimbursed even if partially. This war has devastated Ukraine that also has to be re-built. It is an enormous task.