AS expected, the political clout of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has experienced a significant tremor following his departure from Washington without securing additional approval for increased US military funding for his country amidst the exhaustive conflict with Russia. It is also a major setback for President Joe Biden and his party. The fact is that President Biden deliberately invited Zelenskyy to Washington to personally plead his case for additional military and financial support. President Biden hoped to leverage the perceived influence of Zelenskyy within American political circles. The calculated decision to involve Zelenskyy was aimed at employing his persuasive abilities to sway Republican opinion, a task Biden deemed more effective if delegated to the Ukrainian leader rather than handling it himself. The underlying assumption was that Zelenskyy's presence could catalyze a more favorable response from the Republicans, especially if the Democratic Party showed a willingness to compromise. The intended scenario involved a diplomatic interplay where Zelenskyy's lobbying, coupled with potential compromises from the Democratic Party, might create a conducive environment for the Republicans to make concessions on military aid to Ukraine. President Biden's strategic calculus included the possibility of -- at least -- securing some emergency assistance or crucial provisions, such as weapons and operational supplies essential for Ukraine's winter warfare plans. Delegating Zelenskyy with the responsibility of persuading Republicans constituted a calculated strategic move was a strategic gambit. But it did not work and Zelenskyy returned home empty-handed.

Zelenskyy's intentional involvement in US domestic politics has brought him to the current stage, with Republican reluctance to provide additional aid to Ukraine partially stemming from his close association with the White House. The Ukraine issue has become a political tool for Republicans to challenge the Democrats, complicating diplomatic decisions and maneuvering overall foreign policy. The alliance with the US, once seen as advantageous, now reveals inherent risks for Ukraine amid the toxic dynamics of American partisan politics. This episode serves as a bitter reminder how the Ukraine conflict has become a bargaining chip in American politics. The fallout from Zelenskyy's Washington visit is likely to impact his own position at home where his political opponents are sharpening their knives. Zelensky's strategic approach in managing the war is facing criticism from his political rivals, who advocate a more realistic and less optimistic public discourse. Such internal matters add an additional layer of complexity to an already stressful wartime scenario for Zelenskyy. The inability to strike a balance between addressing domestic challenges and projecting strength on the international stage further aggravates the intricate challenges faced by Zelenskyy at the moment. The Ukraine conflict stands at a critical juncture, serving as a litmus test for the political vision of the United States, Ukraine and Europe. All parties involved find themselves grappling with war fatigue, internal divisions and the looming specter of an unpredictable battlefield. Acknowledging a stark reality, Ukraine's military leader, Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, has recently recognized the stalling of the counteroffensive, marking a noticeable downturn in the once-pervasive optimism that was hyped in the early stages of the conflict. As some influential Western media reports have revealed that the Ukraine counteroffensive, planned to pack a considerable punch, has faltered, giving rise to tensions and second-guessing between Washington and Kyiv. This setback has spurred pricking questions regarding Ukraine's capacity to reclaim substantial territories.