Well, I guess that settles it.
Zelenskyy wants to keep fighting indefinitely, and he still expects the United States to back him indefinitely.
A deal to end the war between Ukraine and Russia “is still very, very far away,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, adding that he expects to keep receiving American support despite his recent fraught relations with U.S. President Donald Trump. https://t.co/bm55xnWkg6
— Washington Times Local (@WashTimesLocal) March 3, 2025
It’s an interesting strategy, especially since Donald Trump has made it abundantly clear that he wants the war to end. And, despite their whinging and whining, the Europeans have reiterated that without the US backing up their efforts, Ukraine can’t win and even NATO is at risk.
KYIV, Ukraine — A deal to end the war between Ukraine and Russia “is still very, very far away,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, adding that he expects to keep receiving American support despite his recent fraught relations with U.S. President Donald Trump.
“I think our relationship (with the U.S.) will continue, because it’s more than an occasional relationship,” Zelenskyy said late Sunday, referring to Washington’s support for the past three years of war.
“I believe that Ukraine has a strong enough partnership with the United States of America” to keep aid flowing, he said at a briefing in Ukrainian before leaving London.
This attitude is a mystery to me, and may be based on all the backslapping he has gotten from his supporters here and abroad. When you have Mark Rutte, the head of NATO making clear that the US is vital and that he wants Ukraine to kiss and make up, and the UK Ambassador outright saying that Ukraine has to fully back the US position, you would think that Zelenskyy would get the message.
Zelenskyy has stated that the end of Ukraine’s war with Russia is “very, very far away…”
TRUMP’S RESPONSE: “This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!”
— Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) March 3, 2025
Donald Trump is, as you can imagine, unhappy about this. It is a slap in the face, especially when coupled with the demand that the US keep supporting Ukraine indefinitely.
🇺🇦NATO CHIEF TO ZELENSKY: “RESTORE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH TRUMP”
In an interesting turn of events, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte just urged Zelensky to mend ties with Trump and the U.S., emphasizing the importance of strong relations.
The news comes despite the fact many… pic.twitter.com/WLoOrm6dNX
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 1, 2025
Apparently not. He expects US troops to fight Russia.
Go to hell, Zelenskyy.
My kids ain’t dying for Ukraine.
— Eric Matheny 🎙️ (@ericmmatheny) March 3, 2025
Zelenskyy’s position is that until Ukraine recovers all territory lost since 2014, which includes Crimea, the war will continue and Europe and the US must continue supporting him.
If I were him, I would love that to happen. But that is as realistic as building wings out of feathers and wax and expecting to fly across the ocean, and that didn’t work for Icarus.
TIME ISN’T ON OUR SIDE
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz breaks it down: The patience of the American people isn’t unlimited. Billions keep flowing into Ukraine, but where’s the endgame?
🔹 Zelensky’s future depends on his willingness to end the war.
🔹 This war must end.
🔹… pic.twitter.com/DSsKtFo5KD— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) March 2, 2025
Zelenskyy isn’t being realistic here, and it is quite possible that his intransigence will cost him not only US support, but start fracturing the already weak consensus in Europe over continuing the war. Germans already want to up their gas purchases from Russia, and the Brits and Macron are at odds on strategy, with Macron pushing for a temporary ceasefire.
Patience with Zelenskyy is running out. Fast.
UPDATE:
A little bit of a reality check for some:
-Trump’s net approval on Russia/Ukraine (+2) is far more positive than Biden’s was by the end (-22).
-The share (31% to 50%) who want a compromise in the war is way up
-The share who say Russia is an enemy is way down (64% to 34%). pic.twitter.com/z6k0x6A1yn— (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) March 3, 2025
