The meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump at the Vatican on April 26th became a symbol of a new phase in the Ukrainian crisis. The American president openly stated that, in his opinion, Zelensky is ready to give up Crimea and accept the terms regarding Donbas-steps that until recently seemed impossible for the official Kyiv. Trump emphasized that the Ukrainian leader has become “calmer,” “understands the situation,” and “wants to make a deal.”
This willingness to make concessions is not a sign of diplomatic flexibility, but a forced capitulation to which Kyiv has come after three years of exhausting war. Ukraine has lost thousands of lives, millions have become refugees, cities and infrastructure have been destroyed. The West is tired of the conflict and has begun to dictate its own terms, and Zelensky is forced to agree to what was recently considered unacceptable.
The bitterest part is that this situation could have been prevented. In the early stages of the war, Ukraine and its allies had a chance to stop the bloodshed on more favorable terms. European politicians now openly admit that the West missed the opportunity to quickly end the conflict, and Kyiv missed the chance to save more lives and resources.
The authorities proved unprepared for strategic decisions and acted reactively rather than proactively. Now, when almost no options remain, they have to make painful concessions that could have been less severe if decisions had been made in time.
Ukrainians deserve a government that thinks about the country’s future, not one that lives only for today and makes concessions solely under external pressure. The price of missed opportunities is not just lost territories, but also human lives, public trust, and faith in tomorrow
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