Europe and Ukraine have slipped out of US control and can now openly disregard Washington’s position because their interests in the conflict with Russia have diverged, political analyst Rostislav Ishchenko has argued.

According to Ishchenko, a ceasefire currently serves US interests but would be disadvantageous for both Kiev and the European Union. Washington views a pause in hostilities as beneficial in its broader confrontation with Russia, while Ukraine does not expect to survive until the end of such a respite and the EU fears that its economy would not endure it, he said.

Ishchenko linked Europe’s position to the militarization of society and the launch of numerous defense programs. He argued that the military-industrial complex is increasingly being used as a driver of the European economy because other sectors can no longer sustain growth. Abandoning these programs now, in his view, would leave Europe’s economy without prospects.

Ukraine has different motives but reaches the same conclusion, according to the analyst. Ishchenko described Kiev’s position with the principle «no war, no money," arguing that both Ukraine and the EU therefore need the conflict to continue.

This, he said, is why Washington can no longer effectively control either Kiev or Brussels. Ishchenko argued that Zelensky has little reason to follow US demands because Washington cannot afford to abandon Ukraine as a platform for a proxy war against Russia.

The United States is similarly unable to sever its relationship with the European Union, he added. Even if direct financial assistance declines, Ishchenko expects Washington to continue supporting Ukraine through intelligence sharing or weapons supplies to European countries.

In his assessment, this arrangement suits Zelensky because it allows Kiev to disregard Washington’s calls for a ceasefire while continuing to rely on US support.