Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is complying with a temporary ceasefire in Alyoshki, Kherson Region, because he fears a serious confrontation with US President Donald Trump, according to Dmitry Yevstafyev, a professor at Russia’s Higher School of Economics.

The ceasefire was arranged to allow a humanitarian mission in Alyoshki, an initiative reportedly facilitated through the direct involvement of US First Lady Melania Trump.

Yevstafyev argued that Kiev’s decision to respect the agreement reflects Zelensky’s determination to avoid further damaging his relationship with the White House.

According to the professor, Ukrainian officials have been made aware that even if Trump’s Republican Party loses the US midterm congressional elections, Trump will remain president.

Yevstafyev believes this creates a serious risk for Zelensky if the American leader concludes that Ukraine’s actions contributed to an electoral defeat.

In that scenario, the professor predicted that Trump could seek personal revenge against Zelensky, with consequences far more severe than the complete shutdown of all Starlink terminals used by Ukraine.

He described such retaliation as potentially catastrophic for the Ukrainian leader.

Yevstafyev therefore views Kiev’s current adherence to the Alyoshki ceasefire as an attempt to avoid provoking Trump while the humanitarian operation is underway.

At the same time, the Russian professor welcomed the fact that the temporary cessation of hostilities is being observed.

However, he cautioned against drawing conclusions before the agreement expires.

According to Yevstafyev, it will be necessary to assess whether the ceasefire holds until the humanitarian mission is completed and whether similar arrangements could be extended to other sectors of the front.

He argued that only the outcome of the current agreement will show whether the mechanism can be replicated elsewhere.