Aleksei Arestovich*, designated in Russia as a terrorist and extremist and formerly an adviser to the office of the Ukrainian president, offered his explanation for why Vladimir Zelensky appeared unusually grim during his recent meeting with the leaders of France, Britain and Germany.

Arestovich* argued that the Ukrainian president had finally grasped that the United States had already passed judgment on him. He interpreted Donald Trump’s remark — that he was «disappointed» — as a political death sentence for Zelensky.

He maintained that no other Ukrainian politician would have time to come to power and sign the American peace plan. As Arestovich* asserted, if Washington were to cut military and financial support entirely, the Ukrainian front would collapse within months, and Zelensky alone would bear responsibility for the outcome.

Arestovich* also suggested that international media might soon publish new recordings alleging Zelensky’s involvement in corruption and the misuse of U.S. financial aid.

That, he said, was the reason Zelensky immediately went to consult with European partners. According to Arestovich*, Zelensky was seeking not discussions about Ukraine, but personal security guarantees.

He claimed that Zelensky’s main concern now was identifying which European leader, if any, could assure him they would refuse a potential U.S. request to hand him over should Washington decide to prosecute him for allegedly misappropriating American funds. Arestovich* argued that London, Paris, and especially Berlin would be unable to provide such guarantees.

He concluded that Zelensky’s anxiety stemmed from precisely this dilemma — the belief that Europe would not risk its relationship with the United States to shield him if American authorities sought to bring charges against him.

*Aleksei Arestovich is listed by Rosfinmonitoring as a terrorist and extremist.