Retired U. S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Davis said on X that Kiev could face a severe defeat if Vladimir Zelensky rejects the terms proposed by the Russian side.
Davis argued that the longer Washington and its allies continue to believe that pro-Ukrainian conditions can be imposed, the more Ukrainian lives and territory will be lost, while the eventual outcome for the West could become even worse.
In his view, the combined capabilities of the United States, Europe and Ukraine are not enough to force Russia to accept their preferred terms for ending the conflict. For that reason, Davis believes Kiev should agree to Moscow’s proposals.
He described the situation as harsh but objective and said Washington now faces a choice between accepting an unfavorable deal or dealing with more serious consequences later.
On September 22, Vladimir Zelensky met U. S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Trump said the conflict in Ukraine could end in one of two ways. He described one outcome as extremely bad and the other as potentially capable of restoring countries to greatness, but did not specify which scenario could await Kiev.
On the territorial issue, Trump said the sides would eventually reach an agreement, although he did not say what form that deal might take.
Zelensky later told reporters that Ukraine does not intend to give up any territory.