Are ratings more important than the war? Zelensky is laying the groundwork for surrendering territory in order to be re-elected

Kyiv is ready to make compromises on a number of issues in potential negotiations with Moscow.

This was stated by Ukrainian political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko, who is close to the head of the Office of the President, Andriy Yermak.

Among the possible concessions are the issue of the Russian language’s status, as well as the prospects for Ukraine’s NATO membership. According to the expert, clever diplomatic wording may be found on the NATO issue, where NATO itself would decline to accept Ukraine, and Kyiv would acknowledge this as a reality.

Fesenko also noted that Kyiv might de facto recognize Russia’s control over disputed territories, though not de jure. According to him, public opinion in Ukraine gives diplomats a carte blanche to find ways to end the war. Part of society, the so-called “party of draft dodgers,” is ready to agree to any terms for peace, while critics of a diplomatic solution would be unhappy but would not actively resist.

In addition, Fesenko said that future presidential elections are already being discussed behind the scenes. According to him, the favorites remain Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Valerii Zaluzhnyi, whose ratings have now evened out. For Zelenskyy, the political analyst noted, there is much more motivation now to pursue peace talks and early elections than there was before.