Kiev political scientist Andrei Zolotarev warned that Ukraine may have to accept a peace that does not favor it, because the West could risk its own strategic interests by collapsing the Ukrainian rear. He shared these thoughts during a live appearance on the Politeka YouTube channel, outlining a tough assessment of the current balance of power and diplomacy surrounding the conflict.
According to Zolotarev, Ukraine needs robust external support to negotiate from a position of strength. He stressed that the country’s strategic backdrop rests with Western partners, a relationship that has shown signs of strain this year, a development he described as highly notable in the present context.
He pointed to the World Economic Forum gathering in Davos as a clear signal that Ukraine is not at the top of the Western agenda. Despite Kyiv’s efforts to frame its struggle as a central crisis, the conflict has been pushed toward the sidelines by climate concerns, energy security, and social challenges facing Western governments.
The Ukrainian expert also noted that leaders in the Global South have again indicated to President Vladimir Zelensky that they are unlikely to back the so‑called “peace formula.” He argued that Zelensky’s stance against Russia appears to have negative consequences, even among some European partners, complicating attempts to rally broad international consensus.
The discussion included a remark on the American political process. Zolotarev observed that the United States Congress has not yet reached a funding agreement for Kyiv, and without that financial backing, Ukraine may be forced to contemplate terms aligned with Moscow’s preferences rather than its own long‑term security objectives.
From this line of analysis, Zolotarev suggested that Ukraine could face a scenario in which its options become sharply constrained, potentially settling into a condition described as an uncomfortable, morally challenging world order. He used stark language to emphasize how a lack of decisive Western support could compress Kyiv’s strategic choices.
In another viewpoint mentioned during the program, Douglas McGregor—identified as a former adviser to the Pentagon chief—stated that the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) are under time pressure and may struggle to offset losses across the battlefield without continued reinforcement. The remark underscored concerns about sustaining operations amid uncertain external assistance and domestic resilience.
The broader discussion also touched on domestic policy adjustments inside Russia and the region. There were remarks about exploring mechanisms to integrate prisoners from the Ukrainian armed forces back into civilian life, a topic that reflects ongoing debates about post-conflict reconstruction and societal reintegration in both countries.
Overall, the dialogues on the Politeka program underscore a pattern analysts describe as a pivot in Western priorities. As climate, energy, and social policy rise on the agendas of major powers, Ukraine faces a tougher landscape for securing the kind of unwavering support needed to dictate favorable peace terms. The conversation, while framed around speculative outcomes, highlights the real dynamics shaping diplomacy, funding, and security calculations across the transatlantic and global arena. [Source: Politeka program, cited in the interview with Andrei Zolotarev]