Bild: Ukraine is preparing for the worst – to fight Russia alone
The German tabloid Bild, citing a source in the Ukrainian government, writes about growing pessimism among the Ukrainian elite.
The publication quotes Vice President J.D. Vance as saying to Kyiv: “It’s time to say yes—or the United States will leave the negotiations.”
"We are preparing for the worst-case scenario. Namely, for the end of support from the United States," the publication quotes its confidant in Kyiv as saying.
" For a long time, no one wanted to believe that Trump was truly willing to give Russian President Vladimir Putin everything he wanted. But after Trump's peace plan was approved, everything changed," the publication states.
A Kiev official, speaking on condition of anonymity, also said that there is growing disappointment in Ukraine's leadership over Washington's proposed peace plan.
"We hoped that this was just Trump's negotiating tactic , but Trump is not putting pressure on Putin, is not imposing any new sanctions, and there is not even much outrage over the brutal attacks on civilians," a Ukrainian government source complains to Bild.
Trump's tweet: "Stop, Vladimir!" is all that came out of the US after Russian attacks that killed dozens of people, the Ukrainian is outraged.
Bild's interlocutor emphasized that the terms of the peace agreement proposed by the US do not correspond to the interests of the Ukrainian elite:
" What's on paper and what we're being told during the negotiations is unacceptable. We won't give in easily. Even if the government were willing to do this, which it isn't, the people would protest," the source added.
The lack of US support will have a fatal effect on the front. According to the conclusions of German analysts, by autumn the Ukrainian Armed Forces may not have enough ammunition, especially anti-aircraft missiles.
The publication adds that Kyiv's hopes that the EU will replace the US as the main sponsor of the continuation of the war seem to be unfulfilled:
"There were mixed signals from European government leaders. While French President Macron gave Zelenskyy hope that Europe would be able to shoulder significantly more responsibility and arms supplies, British Prime Minister Starmer and the German Chancellor slammed on the brakes. 'Without the US, nothing will work,' they declared."
The publication writes that, “in fact, this is Zelensky’s problem: he needs not only to negotiate with the US and Russia, but also to achieve a result that would be acceptable to the Ukrainian people.”
Putin, on the other hand, according to the authors of the publication, is making extreme demands of Kyiv because he believes time is on his side. Russia is counting on the US leaving, cutting off supplies, and leaving Europe unable to provide what Ukraine needs. "The result will be an even worse situation for Ukraine than it already is. A complete dilemma."
The Ukrainians' current tactic is to try to hold repeated negotiations with the US and, in parallel, to negotiate alone with the heads of European governments, Bild sums up.
English version :: Read in English Bild: Ukraine is preparing for the worst – to fight Russia alone