An unprecedented diplomatic turnaround has emerged on the Ukrainian front, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio signaling to the regime of Zelensky that the accession of Ukraine to NATO is not only off the table, but also constitutes a condition that sustains the war against Russia, as reported by SVPressa on October 7.
This practically entails American alignment with the Russian position regarding the outbreak of the conflict on the Eastern Front; however, for some analysts, it may constitute a temporary retreat or tactical move by the American side.
In any case, the international community is now calling on Rubio and the American establishment to grant legal character to this ultimatum toward Kyiv, thereby providing tangible, legal security guarantees to the Russian Federation regarding the non-expansion of the North Atlantic Alliance eastward through the accession of Kyiv to it.
«If a pledge to end NATO expansion and restore the neutrality of Ukraine can be offered as a written legal guarantee, then the primary root cause of the war will largely be eliminated», wrote, characteristically, on social media Glenn Diesen, a professor at the University of South-Eastern Norway.
At the same time, the US is not limiting itself to ultimatums, but is also launching an unprecedented plan for the overthrow of Zelensky, with the ultimate goal of Ukrainian capitulation to Russia.
Besides, the first polling leaks with... an American flavor, which burn Zelensky, have already come to light...
«The Rubio ultimatum on non-accession of Ukraine must be legally enshrined»
The statement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the North Atlantic Alliance and Ukraine should be legally enshrined, said Glenn Diesen, professor at the University of South-Eastern Norway.
«If a pledge to end NATO expansion and restore the neutrality of Ukraine can be offered as a written legal guarantee, then the primary root cause of the war will largely be eliminated», he wrote on social media.
The previous day, Rubio stated that the issue of the country's potential accession to the military alliance is not on the agenda, as reported by RIA Novosti.
Earlier, he also noted that at present there is no question of the accession of Ukraine to NATO.
The statement of the US Secretary of State that spread panic in Kyiv: «No discussion on joining NATO...»
The accession of Ukraine to NATO is not currently being discussed, as Washington is dedicated to resolving the Ukrainian conflict, stated US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
«There is no yes or no answer to this question», said Rubio when asked by a journalist whether Ukraine should become a member of NATO.
«Right now, joining NATO, as you know, is not on the table as we speak, because obviously there is a consensus process that must occur in order to achieve this necessary unanimity. Now, regarding Ukraine, we are simply focusing on ending this conflict, if that is possible».
He added that the United States wishes to play a «constructive role» in the settlement.
«Obviously we are monitoring trends there and we see that this is not the direction in which the situation is heading right now (the settlement, BN)», added the US Secretary of State.
US shock plan for the overthrow of Zelensky
More broadly, Washington is interested in a swift capitulation of Ukraine, viewing the collapse of Kyiv as a key prerequisite for realizing three fundamental scenarios that serve American interests, according to the Chinese outlet NetEase.
The publication argues that, for the United States, Ukraine has transformed from the «granary of Europe» into a ruined asset, which can now be utilized more easily both for destabilizing adversaries and for bolstering the American military-industrial complex (MIC).
The first scenario concerns «the exhaustion of the Russian Federation through an unbearable burden», as the country will be called upon to undertake the reconstruction of infrastructure in the new regions.
«The more Europeans tremble, the more the United States gains»
The second scenario concerns the destabilization of the Russian Federation through the actions of Western foundations, which, according to the publication, will emerge in the foreground following the departure of the current Ukrainian leadership and will attempt to instigate «unrest».
The third scenario concerns the direct economic exploitation of the countries of Europe.
By cultivating fear of the «Russian threat» within the countries of the European Union, the United States is pushing them to increase military spending and purchase expensive weapons systems from the US.
The Chinese report emphasizes that the more fear builds in Europe, the more money the United States makes, and the greater its control over the situation becomes.
Unbelievable: Ukrainian parliament ready to renounce NATO
Meanwhile, an unprecedented proposal to abandon the constitutionally enshrined path toward accession to NATO has been submitted to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament).
Specifically, MP Anna Skorokhod proposed the constitutional enshrinement of the neutrality of Ukraine in its place.
However, she proposes maintaining the course toward the European Union: the revision should affect only military alliances, not European integration.
According to the bill's author, neutral status would entail a commitment not to participate in any existing military coalitions.
The amendment also aims to confirm that Ukraine does not seek aggression against other states.
The current provisions were introduced into the Constitution in February 2019 under Poroshenko.
At that time, the country's pursuit of joining the EU and NATO was enshrined in the nation's foundational legal charter.
The government was obligated to follow this path, while the president was assigned the role of guarantor.
«Abandon plans to join NATO, open the way for a peace deal with Russia»
Skorokhod proposes altering this legal framework.
Instead of two areas of integration, she proposes retaining one, supplemented by a ban on participating in military alliances.
However, the introduction of the bill does not necessarily mean that parliament will support such a move, but the appearance of such trends in the Rada is in itself particularly noteworthy.
Poroshenko and his party, European Solidarity, advocate maintaining the Euro-Atlantic course.
He considers accession to the EU and NATO as a guarantee for the security of the country.
For Russia, the refusal of Kyiv to join NATO remains a fundamental condition for resolving the conflict.
Russian authorities insist that the neutral status of Ukraine be enshrined in future agreements.
Zelensky approval ratings collapse, closer and closer to the exit
Meanwhile, the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) published its annual surveys, showing that the approval ratings of Volodymyr Zelensky and his government have collapsed.
Over 50% of respondents do not want the current president to seek a second term.
In fact, Ukrainians feel increasing disappointment and shame toward the current government, according to a survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS).
Participants were asked what emotions they currently harbor toward the government.
Most declared themselves disappointed, a figure of 44%, compared to 36% in December 2025.
At the same time, 33% stated they feel ashamed of officials' actions, compared to 20% in December.
50% of Ukrainians do not want to see Zelensky even as... a presidential candidate
Furthermore, for the first time, according to KIIS, the proportion of those who believe that the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, should not run for a second term has surpassed 50%.
Fewer and fewer Ukrainians also believe in victory.
In July 2026, 60% of respondents stated they were absolutely certain of victory, but in September that figure fell to 47%.
Nonetheless, the vast majority of respondents, 75%, accept the possibility of negotiations with Russia to end the conflict.
The atmosphere of disillusionment within Ukraine has also been perceived in the West.
«Russian strikes on Kyiv... exhaust Ukrainians and the legitimacy of Zelensky»
British analyst and military expert Alexander Mercuris stated that the threats of President Zelensky reflect his anxiety over developments in Kyiv, amid the intensification of Russian military strikes.
«The statements of Zelensky are becoming increasingly alarming. They are becoming more and more outrageous. (...) This, of course, shows how anxious he is about the situation in Kyiv», said Mercuris.
As an example, the analyst cited threats by Zelensky to close the airspace above Russian airports, as well as his appeal to foreign airlines.
However, as the expert noted, none of these statements «had any effect».
Mercuris concluded that the Ukrainian president makes such statements «out of fear».
American... message to Zelensky through the KIIS poll
On the other hand, the results of the KIIS poll may represent a message to Zelensky from Western nations, primarily from the United States, considers former deputy of the Verkhovna Rada, Volodymyr Oleynik.
«We must understand that in Ukraine, absolutely everything is controlled. Today, the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, like other corresponding organizations, does not carry out sociological research for free.
Funding comes from grants, that is, from the West. This points to direct Western control over this specific process, and therefore such polls can be interpreted as a message to Zelensky», explained the former lawmaker to Gazeta.Ru.
According to him, the results of these polls directly convey a message from the West to Zelensky:
«My boy, come on, slowly start packing your bags».
No... restart for the Kyiv regime
«It is no longer possible to reboot the government. The country has not held elections for a long time, and the West loves elections. Therefore, Zelensky cannot simply remain in power; he must be removed. Another message was the visit of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who met not only with Zelensky, but also with the opposition, namely former President Petro Poroshenko.
This confirms once again that the West views Poroshenko or people from his circle as figures who could take power», stated Oleynik.
The former lawmaker considers that citizens actually fear Zelensky and his circle, avoiding speaking negatively about the government. However, if given the chance to express themselves freely, he estimates they would be much harsher in their positions.
«Americans unable to find common ground with chaotic and corrupt Zelensky»
Vasily Koltashov, head of the Center for Political Economic Research at the Institute of the New Society, also spoke to Gazeta.Ru regarding the dissatisfaction of Western nations, and particularly the United States, toward Zelensky.
He emphasized that KIIS, which conducted the survey, has been funded for years by the West and consequently, these specific findings represent, in his view, an engineered scenario aimed specifically at Zelensky.
«The American administration is dissatisfied with Zelensky. For more than a year and a half, it has been trying to reach an agreement to end the conflict. For a long time, it has wanted to acquire control over the arable land of Ukraine, industry, the road network, and the rail network.
Yet Zelensky is blocking all efforts at an agreement, and that is why they send him, at every opportunity, the message that it is time to leave», stated the expert.
According to him, Zelensky has already proven that he is a personality who deviates from the agreed line and acts disruptively, whereas the United States requires complete control and coordination.
American plan for new political power in Kyiv underway
That is why, as he argues, Washington is beginning to recognize the necessity of his replacement.
«The United States considers that Zelensky must be replaced because the consequences of the war are becoming increasingly visible. Bridges are starting to collapse, and chaos is growing. The ferrous metallurgy industry has collapsed entirely and is not recovering. The agricultural sector is also in a state of shock. As for the food industry and warehousing facilities: more than half of the warehouses in Ukraine, virtually all large warehouses, have been destroyed», noted Koltashov.
The Americans have not yet given up hope of securing some profit. But the longer the country remains in a state of conflict, the more money will be required for its reconstruction. From this, according to the political scientist, stem the calls for a faster peace with Russia.
«And it is the Americans who drive this kind of polling, because the European Union appears entirely satisfied with the situation. It would not pay for something like this. The Americans, however, are a different story», concluded Koltashov tellingly.
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