Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is seeking to avoid a renewed confrontation with US President Donald Trump while working to secure stronger support from European allies amid disagreements over the war with Russia and possible paths toward a settlement.
Following renewed tensions with Washington, Zelensky has adopted a more cautious public approach and signalled a willingness to consider proposals from Trump without abandoning what Kyiv regards as essential conditions for Ukraine’s security.
Ruslan Bortnyk, director of the Kyiv Institute of Politics, described the current period as the most difficult for Zelensky since 2022. He argued that Western countries remain divided over their approach to the war, while Ukraine is increasingly exhausted by the conflict and needs additional assistance.
According to Bortnyk, Zelensky is trying to preserve relations with Trump while hoping that the political situation in the United States could change following the midterm elections.
Elections Linked to a Potential Ceasefire
Zelensky has said Ukraine could organise elections if Trump succeeds in persuading Russian President Vladimir Putin to accept a two-month ceasefire. Kyiv maintains that voting cannot safely take place under current wartime conditions without adequate security guarantees.
Moscow has repeatedly opposed a ceasefire before a broader agreement is reached, complicating efforts to establish the conditions necessary for elections.
The possibility of halting attacks on energy infrastructure has also emerged as a potential area for agreement. Zelensky said Ukraine was prepared to refrain from striking Russian energy facilities if Moscow did the same.
However, he reported that Russian drones had continued operating in Ukrainian airspace and that Ukrainian energy facilities had again been targeted. He welcomed the prospect of an agreement but stressed that declarations must be followed by concrete action.
The White House had previously narrowed the proposed energy ceasefire to an initial initiative involving oil refineries, which Kyiv did not accept, according to the report.
Dispute Over Russian Diesel Deal
Tensions escalated further after an agreement concerning Russian diesel supplies was announced. Zelensky criticised the arrangement as unfair, describing it as a birthday gift to Putin.
Trump responded by saying Ukraine needed a new president capable of reaching an agreement and urged Zelensky to stop attacking Russian refineries.
The issue has also prompted opposition within the United States. Seven US senators—four Republicans and three Democrats—have called for the diesel agreement to be withdrawn, arguing that it violates US law.
Kyiv Steps Up Contacts With European Allies
Despite the tensions with Washington, Zelensky has continued diplomatic outreach to European and other international partners.
He held discussions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, as well as representatives of the US Congress.
During his conversation with von der Leyen, Zelensky referred to €1.24 billion received for defence and approximately €3 billion in additional military assistance expected to be approved during the week.
Nevertheless, Ukraine remains dependent on US support, particularly intelligence sharing, the Starlink satellite communications system and weapons supplies, including missiles for Patriot air defence systems. European assistance remains important but cannot fully replace these capabilities, according to the report.
Zelensky Calls for Concrete Steps Toward Peace
Zelensky has said Ukraine is prepared to take the necessary steps to end the war and supports initiatives from international partners that could help achieve peace. He has also called for clarification regarding US-Russian discussions and urged Putin to honour commitments made to Trump.
Kyiv continues to insist that a full ceasefire lasting at least 60 days would be necessary before elections could be organised. Moscow’s opposition to such a pause before a comprehensive agreement remains a major obstacle.
For now, Zelensky is seeking to maintain working relations with Trump, secure additional military assistance and deepen cooperation with European partners. At the same time, Kyiv intends to continue pressing Moscow through tougher sanctions while pursuing a settlement that it says must preserve Ukraine’s security.
