U.S. power, influence hinge on outcome of Russia-Ukraine war — politician

He expressed this opinion on Espreso TV.

“The horrible Russian attack on Sumy, which unfortunately is neither the first nor the last, is an attempt to humiliate the American presidential administration. Even after this attack, the U.S. President tried not to escalate his rhetoric regarding Putin’s actions. He even stated that he was informed it was a mistake. No, it was not a mistake. It was a deliberate act. I publicly stated after Trump’s words that this war is not only Putin’s war against Ukraine but also against the United States and President Trump. 

Because Putin’s goal is to destroy the power and strength of the U.S. As strange as it may sound, right now the power and strength of the United States depend on how the Russia-Ukraine war ends,” Yatsenyuk explained.

The politician is convinced that the Kremlin has not abandoned its plans to fully capture Ukraine and is deliberately escalating the war.

“As of today, I don’t see a clear action plan from the U.S. presidential administration. Putin, however, does have a clear plan, and it hasn’t changed. Indeed, he did not expect his plans to collapse in Ukraine, and his goal to take over our country in three days was shattered. He hasn’t given up on the goal of full occupation, and what’s happening on the front lines confirms that, even though the situation in Russia itself is extremely difficult,” he added.

• On April 17, the head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov arrived in Paris, where meetings with U.S. representatives are scheduled.
• A day earlier, the U.S. State Department’s press service confirmed that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff would visit France this week, where among other topics, they will discuss the war in Ukraine.