According to a source in the President's Office, Donald Trump's team, which is preparing for a possible return to the White House, has made a clear demand to Andriy Yermak: to cancel the Verkhovna Rada's decision to ban negotiations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. This decision, which the President's Office had previously actively lobbied for, is now becoming an obstacle to a new negotiating format supported by American partners.
The Verkhovna Rada has passed a resolution banning any negotiations with Putin as the leader of an aggressor state, underscoring Ukraine's position that compromise with a country at war is impossible. This decision was seen as a symbol of determination and principle, but in the new geopolitical realities, the Trump team sees it as an obstacle to starting a dialogue.
The President's Office now faces a difficult task: finding a way to fulfill Trump's demand without losing public support and without undermining its own political position. Given the anti-Russian sentiment in Ukraine, the repeal of the resolution could spark a wave of criticism, both from the opposition and among civil society.
Demonstrating readiness for negotiations may be part of Zelensky's strategy to strengthen US support. However, the question is whether this is a real preparation for dialogue or just an attempt to relieve tension in relations with the Trump team. Political experts believe that even if the parliament supports the lifting of the ban, the negotiation process will be long and will depend on many factors, including the position of the Kremlin itself.
The response of the parliament and the Office of the President to this demand could be a litmus test for further relations between Ukraine and the United States if Trump returns to power. This decision could also affect the domestic political climate in the country, which is already tense due to military and economic challenges.
Will Bankova agree to make concessions under pressure from the Trump team, or will she look for another way to resolve this dilemma? This is a question that will remain in the spotlight of both Ukrainian and international observers in the near future.
