President Zelensky warns of possible U
S. withdrawal from diplomatic negotiations on peace: Europe will stand by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently expressed his concerns and suspicions during a briefing regarding the prospects of future negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. According to him, there are signals that the United States of America are considering stepping back from their role as an active intermediary in this delicate process. His words came amid rising geopolitical tensions and a complex situation surrounding the negotiating Christmas church platform. Zelensky emphasized that reaching a compromise on the conditions to end the war is becoming increasingly difficult. "Imagine, everyone understands how complicated the situation is around sanctions, territorial return, and strategic agreements. In this context, there is a possibility that some countries, after establishing a so-called 'ceasefire regime,' will want to reduce their involvement and decrease the overall level of engagement," he noted. According to the head of Ukraine, there is also a likelihood that the U.S. may leave the negotiating platform to operate independently without their active involvement. "Perhaps, after the ceasefire is agreed upon, there will be countries that want us to be one-on-one with the Russian side and its interests, directly, without mediation and external pressure," he stressed. At the same time, Zelensky reassured that Ukraine will not be left alone in this difficult situation. He reaffirmed his confidence that Europe will continue to stand with his country. "Our European partners understand all the challenges and know that many issues remain unresolved. They will be there because many strategic and security aspects are directly linked to our fight," he added. Earlier this week, key American officials in Washington made statements confirming a shift in U.S. policy regarding negotiations with Russia. Specifically, Secretary of State Marco Rubio openly indicated that the U.S. will cease its role as a mediator in diplomatic processes if progress towards peace is not achieved within the near future. Similarly, Department of State spokesperson Temmie Bruce supported this idea, adding that America is focusing on supporting Kyiv but no longer plans to interfere in negotiations as a mediator. This turn of events prompts Ukrainian politicians and diplomats to reconsider the future of diplomacy, potential risks, and ways to preserve strategic stability in the region. In the context of these changes, it is particularly important how the European diplomatic community will respond, as their policies and support largely influence the future development scenario of the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the broader international security situation in Europe.