The U.S. White House has suggested that, in order to end the war in Ukraine, a change in the Zelensky administration might be necessary. On the 2nd of the month (local time), White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz expressed these views during an interview with CNN. When asked if he wanted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to resign, Waltz stated that “we need a leader who can negotiate with Russia and ultimately end the war.”
Waltz highlighted that if Zelensky’s personal or political motives differ from the goal of ending the battles within his own nation, it would pose a severe issue. He referenced Winston Churchill, the former British Prime Minister, who led his country to victory in World War II but lost in the subsequent election, as an analogy for Zelensky’s situation.
The adviser emphasized the need to end the war, suggesting that Ukraine may need to concede territory while Russia would have to offer security guarantees. House Speaker Mike Johnson also remarked in an NBC interview that either Zelensky needed a change in attitude and return to the negotiation table with gratitude, or someone else should lead the nation for that purpose.
These comments from Trump administration officials and political allies indicate a low likelihood of modifying existing plans for mediation to end the war. There is a suggestion of solving the conflict by changing negotiation partners instead of holding Russia accountable for reparations or formulating U.S.-involved security guarantees, thus applying pressure on President Zelensky.
In the interview, Waltz expressed skepticism about Zelensky’s willingness or good faith to negotiate to end the war. He criticized Zelensky’s behavior, such as shaking his head or crossing his arms, as disrespectful. Addressing suspicions that the failure of negotiations was a “trap,” Waltz refuted this, stating that negotiations had been ongoing for weeks and were ready for signing.