Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in the United States for a critical week of diplomacy, including a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and an address to the United Nations General Assembly. But in Kyiv, expectations of major breakthroughs are low, as officials increasingly brace for a future in which Ukraine must rely more on itself.
Waning Hopes For New Sanctions
Despite months of intense lobbying, Ukraine’s hopes for tougher U.S. sanctions against Russia are fading. Trump, who recently welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Alaska, has shown little appetite for new measures that could cripple Moscow’s war economy.
Only 18% of Ukrainians believe the war could end this year, according to recent polling, underscoring a sense of uncertainty about the future. Kyiv officials now describe their diplomacy as pragmatic, not make-or-break.
Kyiv Adapts To Reduced Support
Ukrainian think tanks and institutions are shifting focus from sanctions advocacy to military support, including analytics to help identify drone strike targets. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones have increasingly targeted Russian ports and oil refineries, prompting warnings from Moscow about possible output cuts.
On the battlefield, Russia has pushed forward in eastern Ukraine but failed to capture Pokrovsk, a key stronghold. Putin claims more than 700,000 Russian troops are now deployed, while Moscow insists on retaining at least 20% of Ukrainian territory—a position Kyiv rejects outright.
Weapons And Diplomacy
Though diminished, U.S. support remains vital. Washington has resumed intelligence sharing and introduced a new mechanism for Ukraine to purchase U.S. weapons. Zelenskyy confirmed deliveries of Patriot missiles and HIMARS rocket launchers, with financing already exceeding $2 billion.
Ukraine is also pushing plans for an international summit on Crimea, signaling its rejection of any settlement that would legitimize Russia’s 2014 annexation.
A Symbolic But Necessary Visit
Speaking to Reuters, First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya stressed the symbolic importance of Zelenskyy’s trip:
“New York is the platform every September. It’s a super important place to be. We will not come back with easy solutions, but we must continue to work hard after New York.”
Realism Replaces Optimism
Former Defense Minister Andriy Zagorodnyuk emphasized that Kyiv’s strategy is to “neutralize Russia” militarily rather than wait for Moscow to stop fighting. Meanwhile, a former senior official, skeptical of Trump imposing sanctions, said Ukraine’s best path forward is to strengthen its armed forces, describing drawn-out talks on post-war guarantees as “a ritual dance.”
