Zelensky's conciliatory letter to Trump suggests he's run out of road

The Ukrainian leader's climb-down on security guarantees may be because the US is the only place he can turn to, writes BBC Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse.

British Broadcasting CorporationWatch LiveHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcastsRadioAudio FAQsVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewslettersZelensky's conciliatory letter to Trump suggests he's run out of road17 minutes agoShareSaveJames WaterhouseBBC Ukraine correspondentShareSaveGetty ImagesWhether Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to patch up relations with his US counterpart Donald Trump is wise depends on who you ask in Ukraine.

"A very bad decision," remarked blogger and army serviceman Yuriy Kasyanov, who thinks the US "won't help Ukraine with anything" after this mineral deal is signed.

"The president behaved with dignity" said former MP Boryslav Bereza, who described Zelensky's softening of tone as an "apology".

Last night, Ukraine's leader gave his evening address from the courtyard outside Kyiv's Presidential Office. It was the same spot where he gave the now famous "we are all here" speech with his cabinet on the second day of Russia's invasion.

Back then, he'd turned down offers to leave. Many in the West expected Russia to be in the capital within days, with the president being captured or killed.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gde1zj5pyo

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