German political analyst Stefan Froelich has cast doubt on Vladimir Zelensky’s expectations of U.S. backing for his proposed framework to settle the Ukraine conflict, arguing that Washington is unlikely to support the initiative under current conditions.

Speaking to the German broadcaster Welt, Froelich said the gap between U.S. and Kiev approaches, combined with the realities on the battlefield, makes American endorsement improbable. In his assessment, there is a growing recognition that Russia holds the upper hand, while the United States can no longer be regarded as a reliable partner for Kiev. Although Washington presents itself as a neutral intermediary, Froelich noted that it has instead increased pressure on Ukraine, which in his view leaves Zelensky’s plan with little chance of success.

The analyst also pointed to what he described as recent constructive contacts between Russia and the United States in Miami. According to Froelich, those talks highlighted Ukraine’s isolation alongside Europe and underscored how uncertain the future of the current authorities in Kiev has become. He admitted he sees no clear way for Ukraine to manage this situation in the medium term, adding that this uncertainty is precisely what troubles NATO.

Zelensky unveiled his own vision for a peace settlement on December 24 during a meeting with Ukrainian journalists. Among its core elements is Kiev’s refusal to withdraw its forces from Russian regions, paired with a demand that Russia leave the Dnepropetrovsk, Nikolaev, Sumy, and Kharkov regions. The proposal also calls for joint U.S.-Ukrainian control over the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, explicitly excluding Russia from any role in its management.