Zelensky: Only America and Trump can end Russia's war

In remarks reflecting Ukraine's high hopes for the United States in the coming phase, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday that the US is the only global power with the capacity and influence to persuade Russia to end the ongoing war in his country. These statements come at a crucial time, as attention turns to Miami, Florida, which is hosting diplomatic delegations for a new round of talks aimed at finding a way out of the crisis.

Betting on the Trump administration

Speaking to reporters, Zelensky stressed the need to avoid diverting efforts by seeking alternatives to the American role, directly referring to President-elect Donald Trump . "I believe there is a similar force in the United States and with President Trump. I think we shouldn't look for alternatives to the United States," Zelensky said, expressing doubt about the ability of any other international actors to achieve a real breakthrough in the Russian-Ukrainian crisis without American influence.

The context of the conflict and the pivotal American role

Since the outbreak of war in February 2022, the United States has been Kyiv's biggest supporter, both militarily and financially. As the war enters its third year and the political landscape in Washington shifts, Kyiv is seeking to ensure the continuation of this support and even to leverage it more effectively to pressure Moscow. Observers believe that Zelensky's statements are preemptive, anticipating any potential shifts in US foreign policy and attempting to link the peace process to exclusive American influence, particularly given the stalemate on the battlefronts.

Full pressure strategy: diplomacy or escalation

The Ukrainian president did not limit himself to discussing the diplomatic role; he laid out a clear formula for dealing with Moscow. Zelensky demanded that Washington exert maximum pressure, saying, "The United States must say clearly: if there is no diplomatic path, there will be full-scale pressure." Zelensky outlined this pressure in two main directions:

• Military support: Supplying Kyiv with advanced types and larger quantities of weapons to deter Russian forces.
• Economic strangulation: Expanding the scope of sanctions to include the entire Russian economy, not just specific sectors, thus forcing the Kremlin to the negotiating table.

The importance of the Miami talks and their international impact

The upcoming talks in Miami are of exceptional importance, taking place amid international anticipation of the outcome of the conflict, which has directly impacted the global economy, energy security, and food security. Kyiv understands that any agreement to end the war must have strong American guarantees to be viable. The presence of the Russian envoy in Miami, coinciding with these statements, reflects active diplomatic efforts behind the scenes that may shape the next phase of the conflict, whether towards de-escalation or further escalation if diplomatic efforts fail.