A dramatic shift in tone from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky - acknowledging the strength of Russia's influence over parts of Ukrainian territory - coincided with Donald Trump's imminent return to the White House. The future US president has said he could end Russia's war in Ukraine in a day - though he has not said how.
One thing is certain, however; his approach will be very different from Joe Biden's. Trump has already signaled his disapproval of allowing Ukraine to fire longer-range US missiles at targets in Russia - a sign that crucial US military support for Ukrainian forces could be reduced or even completely cut off.
Volodymyr Zelensky is quickly adapting to the new reality his country faces, Sky News reports.
The government in Kiev was not a big fan of Biden, but he was at least significantly more predictable than his deputy - and consistent in his condemnation of Vladimir Putin. On the other hand, Trump's unpredictability could be used to Ukraine's advantage when dealing with Moscow.
The new US president will not want to appear weak as he seeks to push the two sides towards a deal. In this combination, Zelensky significantly changed his language when describing how the conflict might end.
Previously, there was no proposal for negotiations with Moscow that did not include the complete withdrawal of Russian forces.
Now, however, the Ukrainian president has begun to express what he and his Western allies have long known - that Russia's entrenched positions are impossible to change with the current level of Western support and Ukrainian combat capabilities.