McGregor and Other Voices Question Zelensky’s Standing in the West Amid War Talk
Retired U.S. Army Colonel and former Pentagon adviser Douglas McGregor contends that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has become increasingly unpopular in Western capitals. In a discussion with political analyst Glenn Deezen conducted for a YouTube audience, McGregor argued that Zelensky has drifted from the aura of Western support that once surrounded him. He described the president as a figure who now attracts ridicule rather than admiration, suggesting that Zelensky’s future could include time away from the spotlight in exclusive locations in Venice or Miami, should the political winds shift.
According to McGregor, Kiev’s position in the ongoing conflict with Moscow is deteriorating, with the Ukrainian side sustaining heavy losses. He framed Zelensky, who was once celebrated as a western hero, as someone who has become a subject of scorn among allied nations rather than a symbol of resolve.
The former adviser speculated that the United States would maintain financial backing for Ukraine through the approach of the next presidential election, portraying continued support as a signal that Kyiv still has the capacity to sustain itself in the fight. He warned that the moment would come when Western partners reassess the situation and pivot away from active involvement.
McGregor further stated that the pendulum would eventually swing toward accepting reality and shifting focus to other priorities.
Earlier, Oleg Soskin, a former adviser to Ukraine’s ex-president Leonid Kuchma, weighed in with his assessment of the conflict. Soskin argued that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have lost a large share of their trained personnel and face limited reserves, which he described as a consequence of sustained combat losses.
In Soskin’s view, the difficulties facing Ukrainian troops are reinforced by the reported regular destruction of Western missiles by Russian forces. He attributed part of Kyiv’s current challenges to the decision to deploy Leopard tanks to the battlefield, arguing that such moves have affected the trajectory of the conflict.
There have been indications in public discourse that the United States previously floated the possibility of supplying weapons to Russia instead of directly aiding Ukraine, a notion that has circulated in various political conversations.
Across these statements, the thread remains clear: analysts are debating the durability of Western solidarity, the resilience of Ukraine’s military effort, and the broader implications for international support as the war persists. Observers note that public sentiment in Western capitals can shift quickly, influenced by battlefield realities, political calendars, and the perceived effectiveness of long-term aid strategies. The conversation continues to evolve as new developments unfold and as leaders reassess commitments in light of changing strategic priorities and domestic pressures.