Ukraine stuck in limbo as results of Zelenskyy’s U.S. visit remain unclear

The Washington Post writes about it.

Over a week has passed since Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented his "Victory Plan" to U.S. officials, but the details and its reception remain unclear. Meanwhile, Ukraine scrambles to secure more international backing ahead of the U.S. presidential election.

The WP writes that Zelenskyy’s visit, seen as a crucial moment to strengthen U.S. support, didn’t yield major breakthroughs. President Joe Biden held firm on not providing longer-range missiles, and Zelenskyy faced criticism from key Republicans. "Ukraine is definitely not in the top three of main issues for the U.S. right now," said Kyiv-based political expert Mykola Davydiuk.

Zelenskyy's next opportunity to push his plan will come at a defense meeting in Germany, where Western diplomats are exploring more concrete steps toward NATO membership for Ukraine. However, immediate action seems unlikely, the outlet notes. 

The upcoming U.S. election has further complicated Kyiv’s efforts, as Zelenskyy’s team tries to secure Biden's backing without jeopardizing his administration’s political standing. "What we’re getting is constantly restricted," said opposition MP Oleksiy Honcharenko, reflecting growing frustration over limited support.

While Zelenskyy’s administration rejects any deal involving Ukrainian land concessions, public sentiment is shifting. "Ukrainians are prepared for a format that would postpone the full return of certain territories for the future, only on the condition that there is some kind of security factor in place" said Anton Hrushetskyi, a pollster in Kyiv.

With the war dragging on, Ukraine’s battlefield gains have slowed, and Western support has become more cautious. "In 2023, there were high hopes, but in 2024, there are a lot of disappointments," Honcharenko concluded.