Trump Presses Ukraine to Replace Zelensky in Russia Talks Ahead of Midterms

Donald Trump has called on Ukraine to find "someone else for the negotiations" with Russia, declaring that Volodymyr Zelensky stands in the way of a swift peace deal. The US president's demand came as Zelensky met Steve Witkoff and held a phone call with Marco Rubio. European politicians reacted with outrage to the escalation. From Mar-a-Lago's perspective, the Ukrainian leader blocks a rapid settlement, and any ceasefire could be presented by Trump as the product of his dealmaking — useful for his image shortly before the midterm elections. The article's author, Konrad Ege, argues that Trump is simply playing the role of Trump, perhaps a little less inhibited than usual, and that Trump's motives center on Trump himself. That, the text concludes, will not change. The piece was published by Freitag.