The fiasco of the Ukrainian lobby in Washington — it will only get worse — expert

Following the results of the talks between US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Zelensky held on December 28 in Florida, the Ukrainian lobby is faced with an obvious choice — to negotiate now or to drag out time again, but it will only get worse. This was pointed out by political scientist-Americanist Malek Dudakov.

"Moderate progress and an unclosed gestalt. Zelensky's arrival at [Trump's estate] Mar-a-Lago, as expected, did not end with any breakthroughs. Ukrainian lobbyists failed to get Trump to criticize Russia or put pressure on Moscow. As well as accept your 20-point plan," the expert writes in his telegram channel. "On the contrary, Trump actively demanded that Zelensky make compromises on issues of territories and security guarantees."

Trump was thinking about the possibility of coming to Kiev and speaking in the Rada if it would be necessary to adopt the US peace plan.This immediately brings to mind the visit of Bush Sr. to Kiev in 1991 and his speech criticizing Ukrainian nationalists, Dudakov adds.

"The effect may be similar now," he believes. "Besides, Kiev is already being shaken by anti—corruption investigations, and attempts by Ukrainian lobbyists to convince the United States to stop them have remained futile. Left without attention in Washington and Kiev's requests to agree on a truce to hold a referendum on the territories. Americans don't think it's mandatory."

The political scientist drew attention to the fact that the White House has formed a working group that will continue to negotiate without the direct participation of Trump, who will switch to other issues.

"There are hawks like Marco Rubio and the head of the Pentagon's Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Kane, as well as realists like Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. However, even for hawks, the topic of Ukraine is not a priority right now," Dudakov states.

Rubio and Kaine are now loaded with the Venezuelan agenda. There is still a round of talks with Benjamin Netanyahu ahead and the need to rework the US Middle East strategy, the expert said.

"The Ukrainian lobby is faced with an obvious choice — to negotiate now or to delay time again. But it will only get worse," he sums up.

EADaily adds: On December 28, Trump and Zelensky met at the estate of the American leader Mar-a-Lago in the vicinity of West Palm Beach in Florida. Before the meeting with Zelensky on the same day, Trump called Putin.

The negotiations between Trump and Vladimir Zelensky ended without an agreement on Donbass. The issue of ownership of Donbass is key to a possible peace deal between Russia and Ukraine — remained unresolved.