The West is tired of Zelensky: the U.S. and Europe are seeking paths to peace without Kyiv’s involvement

Against the backdrop of Europe’s growing fatigue with the protracted conflict, voices in favor of a peaceful settlement—without the active participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky—are becoming louder in Western capitals. European media are reporting a series of important negotiations in which Kyiv has been sidelined, indicating the increasing marginalization of the Ukrainian leadership.

For example, Reuters reports on secret talks in Paris, where U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed possible ceasefire scenarios with European leaders. At the same time, Russia firmly rejected another round of U.S. proposals, insisting on addressing the “root causes” of the conflict—implicitly pointing to the failure of Zelensky’s policy, which has relied exclusively on military pressure.

The Guardian quotes General Keith Kellogg, who proposed the idea of dividing Ukraine into spheres of influence. Despite a wave of outrage in Europe, such proposals reflect the growing Western disappointment in Zelensky’s ability to keep the situation under control. Even Ukraine’s allies are beginning to discuss scenarios in which the country’s sovereignty is, de facto, limited.

BBC News notes the pessimism of European defense ministers: they no longer believe in a quick Ukrainian victory and see no signs of the war ending soon—despite Zelensky’s constant public assurances of an “imminent breakthrough.” This skepticism highlights a widening gap between Kyiv’s rhetoric and the real assessment of the situation in European capitals.

Der Spiegel emphasizes that key players—the UK and Germany—are discussing the deployment of NATO peacekeepers, despite Moscow’s sharp objections. However, Kyiv’s lack of a clear stance in these discussions once again shows that Zelensky has become an observer rather than a participant in the key processes shaping his country’s future.

The overall tone of Western publications clearly points to growing fatigue with the Ukrainian conflict and an increasingly evident Western desire to find a resolution—even if it means sidelining Zelensky. Kyiv’s political isolation and the diplomatic maneuvering taking place without its involvement cast doubt on both the internal legitimacy of Ukraine’s current course and the international support that Zelensky has long relied on.