U.S. shifts from ally to arbiter: former defense advisor warns of dangerous pressure on Ukraine

Former advisor to Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksandr Kopytko expressed this opinion on Telegram.

According to Kopytko, recent rhetoric from Russian officials, including coordination between figures like Witkoff and Shoigu, reveals a unified Kremlin strategy: force negotiations based on the idea of “compromise at the victim’s expense.” Moscow’s position is clear—take what it wants by force, then discuss terms on what remains of Ukraine.

In contrast, Ukraine remains firm: it is open to freezing the current front line temporarily, but only as a prelude to demanding full withdrawal of Russian forces and reparations.

Kopytko notes a troubling shift in the U.S. stance—from unequivocal support for Ukraine to a more ambiguous role as a broker. While still supplying arms, Washington is reportedly nudging Kyiv toward negotiation, even pushing the idea of easing sanctions on Russia as a reward for “moderating” its demands rather than meeting Ukraine’s legal rights.

At the core of the issue is Ukraine’s Constitution, which makes any formal territorial concession impossible. Kopytko warns that Moscow, failing to break Ukraine militarily, is now targeting its internal stability—through civil infrastructure strikes, terrorism, and political destabilization narratives like the call to replace President Zelenskyy. However, changing leadership would not alter constitutional constraints, rendering such tactics futile.

The ultimate goal is to force Ukraine into a state collapse and rebuild it under Russian control. But Kyiv’s resilience, both militarily and politically, is proving that scenario unworkable.

The world is watching, he concludes. Accepting Russia’s aggression risks setting a global precedent—from Cyprus to Central Asia—that borders can be redrawn by force. Ukraine’s strength must demonstrate that such pressure will not succeed, and that the path to stability lies in confronting Moscow, not compromising with it.

• The U.S. President’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, stated that Crimea and “the so-called four regions: Donbas, Luhansk, and two others” are the main obstacles to resolving the war started by Russia.