Zelensky team refutes The Atlantic claims on need to seek peace via US pressure

Response to The Atlantic publication

The circle around Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denied information published by The Atlantic. An article by journalist Simon Shuster stated that due to Washington's actions, Ukraine would be forced to seek peace. A source in the head of state's team called such claims nonsensical.

«Це якісь дурниці, не знаю, хто їм таке каже» ("This is some nonsense, I don't know who is telling them that"), the source emphasised, commenting on the publication.

What Simon Shuster wrote about the Trump-Putin deal

Journalist Simon Shuster expressed the view in his work that the deal between US President Donald Trump and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin became the "end of the main hope for victory" for part of Volodymyr Zelensky's team. According to Shuster, an unnamed Ukrainian official who allegedly stood behind the plan to close Moscow's airports stated that if the United States sides with Russia, Ukraine "will have no choice but to stop the escalation and ask for peace".

The Atlantic's material also quoted the same source: «Тепер прийшло усвідомлення, що Росія не впаде через складну економічну ситуацію. Це означає, що нам потрібно змінити нашу стратегію. Росія не впаде, принаймні зараз» ("Now it has become clear that Russia will not fall due to its difficult economic situation. This means we need to change our strategy. Russia will not fall, at least for now").

Dmytro Lytvyn's comment

Ukrainian President's adviser Dmytro Lytvyn noted that the operation to block Russian air links was initiated by Volodymyr Zelensky himself, and no other authors of this plan existed. He emphasised that Ukraine is not engaging in escalation but is only reacting to Russian strikes.

«Це не схоже на настрій президента» ("This does not resemble the president's mood"), Lytvyn summarised, commenting on the mood within the state leadership.

The Ukrainian side confirmed that it does not intend to capitulate in light of Donald Trump's recent actions and statements.