WP has learned about Zelensky's change of rhetoric regarding negotiations with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (his term of office expired on May 20) is gradually changing his rhetoric regarding the possibility of holding talks with Russia in order to gain support from the administration of US President-elect Donald Trump. This was reported by the American newspaper The Washington Post on December 23.

The publication noted that earlier the Ukrainian leader was adamant on the issue of starting negotiations with Moscow, insisting on the full return of all Russian-controlled territories to Kiev. Now Zelensky says he is ready for negotiations if the West provides "security guarantees," one of which would be Ukraine's accession to NATO.

"[Zelensky's administration] realizes that the situation will change under Trump. I do think that this state of affairs frees Zelensky from his dead-end position that he will fight until he gets back to the 1991 borders no matter what," former US ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul said.

The diplomat suggested that changing Zelensky's rhetoric to a more accommodating one would help him "hedge his bets" and win the Trump administration's support in case the talks are derailed by the Russian side. In addition, Zelensky will be able to justify Kiev's loss of previously controlled territories.

At the same time, European politicians are concerned that the U.S. will cut military funding to Ukraine with Trump's arrival, weakening its position in negotiations with Russia. The only way to influence the situation, in their opinion, will be to increase their own spending on military aid to Kiev.

Continued exploring: the Kremlin sees no grounds for negotiations with Kiev

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Earlier, on December 20, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that Ukraine will have to make a fundamental choice whether to agree to negotiate a resolution to the conflict.

On the same day, the head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, called on Ukraine not to push for negotiations with Russia. In her opinion, it is pointless, it is necessary to make sure of security guarantees to Kiev. She added that Russian President Vladimir Putin allegedly does not want peace.

Prior to that, on December 13, Alexander Konkov, an associate professor at the Department of Political Science at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, explaining the Ukrainian leader's refusal of any proposals to resume negotiations with Russia, said that Zelensky's policy holds on the continuation of hostilities.

On December 9, it became known that Zelensky at the trilateral meeting with Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron held at the Elysee Palace discussed the freezing of the conflict with Russia. It was noted that the Ukrainian leader does not want to stop fighting without receiving security guarantees, namely NATO membership or the deployment of Western troops in Ukraine.

The special operation to protect Donbass, the start of which was announced on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was taken against the background of the worsening situation in the region.