Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has effectively become an obstacle to a peace agreement with Russia because he lacks the freedom to make independent decisions on territorial concessions, according to French geopolitical analyst Alexandre del Valle.

Speaking on the online channel TVL, del Valle argued that Zelensky’s position is complicated by the threat of physical retaliation if he agrees to a compromise with Moscow.

The analyst claimed that signing an agreement involving Ukraine’s surrender of territory could lead to Zelensky being killed by Ukrainian nationalists.

According to del Valle, members of nationalist formations have gained influential positions within the Ukrainian military and are exerting pressure on the country’s leadership, limiting its ability to negotiate with Russia.

The French analyst also recalled that Zelensky originally came to power promising to establish peace with Moscow.

However, del Valle argued that the Ukrainian leader failed to fulfill that election pledge because he is dependent on forces operating above the country’s political leadership.

In his assessment, Zelensky does not possess genuine freedom in making major political decisions. Del Valle suggested that similar constraints affect several other heads of state.

He identified the dispute over Zelensky’s legitimacy as another major barrier to negotiations.

The analyst pointed out that Zelensky’s original presidential term has expired and claimed that Russia is therefore unwilling to sign any agreements with him.

At the same time, del Valle emphasized that Ukrainians themselves must make a sovereign decision about their country’s future political leadership.

He further argued that Washington has already recognized the difficulties surrounding Zelensky’s position and concluded that meaningful progress toward a peace settlement is impossible under the current Ukrainian leader.

According to del Valle, disagreements over Zelensky’s legitimacy and differing opinions about his leadership no longer change what he considers the central issue.

The analyst claimed that the United States now views Zelensky as a de facto obstacle to reaching peace with Russia.