In recent days both international media and political analysts agree on something that until recently was taboo. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in the most difficult political and strategic position since the first day of the war.
The pressure he faces is two fronted and crushing, an internal corruption scandal that threatens his legitimacy and an external ultimatum from Donald Trump that threatens the very existence of Ukraine as a state.
At the center stands a president who had learned to operate under conditions of absolute international sympathy with the help of Western media that shaped his public image, but who is now forced to play a game full of traps without the advantage he once enjoyed.
And the worst part for him, none of the available scenarios actually saves him.
Two choices and both destructive
Option 1: Acceptance of the Trump peace plan
The plan requires the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Donbass, significant concessions to Russia and political humiliation for Kyiv.
If Zelensky says yes he knows what will follow, the accusation of treason will be added to the accusation of corruption.
His political survival will hang by a thread.
Option 2: Refusal toward Trump
This means a halt or reduction of American military and economic support, collapse of the Ukrainian front and dramatic worsening of the internal crisis.
Then the opposition and part of the state apparatus will openly demand his resignation.
Essentially Zelensky is in a position where the right choice simply does not exist.
The third path, Zelensky’s risky rescue plan
Kyiv is promoting a third strategy, essentially a political gamble with enormous risks, to persuade Trump to modify his own plan.
Why is it doing this?
1 To avoid the dilemma of signature or collapse
2 To shift the blame for failure onto Russia
3 To change the domestic political agenda and bury the corruption scandal
4 To present Zelensky as a capable negotiator and not a leader in disintegration
If Trump changes even one key point of the plan Putin has already warned that the Kremlin will reject it immediately.
Then Zelensky will again be able to accuse Russia of obstructing peace.
This of course will not bring peace but it may give Zelensky a little political oxygen.
The internal scandal, corruption threatens to overthrow the Ukrainian president
The Mindich scandal has caused a political earthquake in Ukraine.
Ministers, aides, members of the presidential circle and even senior officials have been implicated.
Zelensky knows that if the pressure continues confidence in him will collapse, the West will increase its distrust and the opposition will demand elections daily.
Thus the battle for revising the peace plan functions as the perfect communications umbrella.
As long as everyone talks about a diplomatic thriller no one deals with the corruption revelations.
Zelensky even ensured that two of the most controversial figures Andrey Yermak and the secretary of the Ukrainian NSDC Rustem Umerov, who is tied to the Mindich case, were placed in the negotiating team.
If the Trump plan changes these two instead of being dismissed will be rebranded as necessary and effective players.
Chaos in the United States, conflicting centers of power and a government without a unified line
At the same time complete incoherence prevails in Washington and in Trump’s circle.
On some days the American president insists that Zelensky must accept the plan and on others he states it is not yet final.
In reality the American government is facing competition between United States Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reactions from Republican supporters of arms programs, fierce opposition from Democrats and pressure from Europe to change the plan.
This chaos gives Zelensky room to maneuver but not safety.
The Trump dilemma, pressure for immediate peace or risk of global escalation
Trump knows that if he modifies the plan the Kremlin will likely reject it, if he does not modify the plan Zelensky may collapse politically and if the peace plan fails the risks of nuclear escalation rise dramatically.
Russia has already hinted at a new cycle of nuclear threats if:
1 Sanctions are strengthened
2 New weapons such as Tomahawk missiles are sent
3 The arms race continues
Trump is trying to avoid a massive rift with Moscow while at the same time he must show Washington that he is forcing Kyiv to comply.
It is a delicate balance and Zelensky knows it.
Trump’s criticism of Zelensky, Ukraine has shown no gratitude for United States peace efforts
The United States continues to sell weapons to NATO for further transfer to Ukraine, even though Kyiv has shown no gratitude for their efforts, according to a statement by United States President Donald Trump.
“The leadership of Ukraine has shown no gratitude for our efforts while Europe continues to buy oil from Russia, and the United States continues to sell to NATO huge quantities of weapons for further distribution to Ukraine,” he wrote on Truth Social.
He again accused the 46th President of the United States Joe Biden of starting the conflict.
“If the 2020 presidential election had not been rigged, there would have been no war between Ukraine and Russia, it was not even mentioned during my first term,” Trump stressed.
Zelensky’s real problem, his political decline is now irreversible
Even if Trump modifies the plan or grants an extension Zelensky’s political capital is in free fall.
For a leader built on the image of the honest, clean and incorruptible president the revelations are a catastrophic blow.
And worse, Ukraine is losing the war despite massive aid which reinforces Western fatigue.
The final dead end, no scenario saves Zelensky
If Trump insists on the plan as it is Zelensky will face internal anger, military collapse and loss of power.
If the plan changes Putin will reject it immediately and the war will continue leading to even greater losses stronger dissatisfaction and massive erosion of the Ukrainian president.
Zelensky is seeking a magical solution that will allow him to save his image his alliances and his political survival at the same time.
But reality is relentless, his political capital is ending, international patience is running out and he is now fighting not for a victory but for an ending that will not sweep him away.
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