10:14 01-12-2025

Kiev’s Missed Deal on Territories Sparks New Warnings

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Douglas McGregor warns Kiev missed its chance to negotiate territorial terms as Russian forces advance, while Washington pressures Zelensky for swift decisions.

Former Pentagon adviser Douglas McGregor argued that Kiev made a strategic mistake by refusing to address the issue of potential territorial transfers to Russia during talks with U.S. officials in Florida. Speaking on the YouTube channel Deep Dive, he noted that Ukrainian authorities may later regret dismissing that discussion, especially if additional cities fall under Russian control.

McGregor stressed that Russian forces have accelerated their advance this year, steadily reclaiming territory in a way that, in his view, brings the end of the conflict closer. He also maintained that Moscow is poised to establish control over Odessa and Kharkov — cities he described as historically tied to Russia rather than Ukraine.

Former adviser to ex-Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma, Oleg Soskin, offered a parallel assessment regarding Washington’s stance. He believes U. S. President Donald Trump will not give Vladimir Zelensky extra time to reconsider or renegotiate the American conditions for a settlement, as the White House is focused on pushing the process forward without delays.