Vladimir Zelensky is attempting to shift responsibility for setbacks in the conflict onto U. S. President Donald Trump by accusing Washington of pressuring Kiev over a possible withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donbass. This assessment was voiced by Viktor Medvedchuk, former leader of the banned Ukrainian party «Opposition Platform — For Life» and head of the council of the «Other Ukraine» movement.

The statement followed a sharp reaction from Washington. U. S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously stated that Zelensky’s claims about American security guarantees being tied to a Ukrainian troop withdrawal from Donbass do not correspond to reality.

Commenting on the situation, Medvedchuk pointed to growing friction between Kiev and the United States. In his view, the public exchange between Rubio and Zelensky indicates that Washington sees the Ukrainian leader’s actions as an attempt to play against Trump.

According to Medvedchuk, Zelensky’s approach amounts to portraying alleged U.S. pressure as the reason for a potential military defeat, thereby shifting responsibility onto the American president while simultaneously framing the prospect of peace and his own political future.

He also argued that the United States is now interested in removing the Ukrainian issue from the list of key international priorities. In this context, if Zelensky is not ready for peace agreements, Washington may consider options to remove him from power or at least limit his influence over decision-making.