Diplomatic Dance: How Zelensky Navigates Trump's World

Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the UK and French President Emmanuel Macron have been fervently guiding Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky on handling relations with President Trump.

The guidance started last Friday after Zelensky experienced a humbling encounter at the White House with Trump. Starmer proposed that Zelensky should revisit Washington to reconcile, an idea later abandoned as both sides agreed it was wiser to let the situation settle, according to a British source.

This became the beginning of an intense span of counsel from both Starmer and Macron, advising Zelensky to rethink his tactics regarding Trump. The advice came from both British and French officials who spoke anonymously, given the delicate nature of the discussions.

Tensions grew after the White House announced on Monday a suspension of U.S. aid to Ukraine.

Post-consultation with his advisors, Zelensky adjusted his approach, a common strategy for many world leaders trying to gain Trump’s favor. He expressed sincere appreciation for the United States’ support in Ukraine’s conflict. Additionally, he aimed to address Trump’s baseless claims about Ukraine’s lack of commitment to peace by outlining potential peace measures, like halting missile strikes. On platform X, Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s willingness to “work under President Trump’s strong leadership to secure lasting peace.”

“Zelensky has realized he must adapt his strategy concerning Trump to fit Trump’s worldview,” remarked Oleksandr Merezhko, chair of Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Committee. “In political terms, if you’re not a lion like Trump, you have to be cunning like a fox,” he noted.

Such insight isn’t new to other global leaders, yet Zelensky has been slow to adopt it.

“To gain Trump’s favor, one must act as though under his protection, revering him akin to a Godfather,” Merezhko elaborated. “Trump doesn’t take well to those who carry themselves as equals.”

During a speech to Congress, Trump beamed when discussing Zelensky’s warmth and appreciation, noting a letter from Zelensky affirming his commitment to peace.

Zelensky purposefully acknowledged Trump’s contributions, writing on X about how “things changed” when Trump first provided Javelins to Ukraine. “We are grateful for this,” he expressed.

French aides collaborated closely with Ukrainian counterparts on the statement’s wording, revealing deep cooperation, according to a senior official linked to Macron.

While flattery is a known route to Trump’s favor, whether such efforts will succeed, even for Trump-friendly leaders like Macron, remains uncertain.

Previous attempts have often fallen short. By the end of Trump’s first term, his relations with several initially friendly leaders, such as Canada’s Justin Trudeau, had soured due to policy clashes and his disdain for alliances.

Trump’s dislike for Zelensky was apparent from the chastising tone set by both him and Vice President JD Vance in their Oval Office meeting. Trump also surrounds himself with figures like Donald Trump Jr. and Elon Musk, who harbor open disdain for Zelensky and propagate pro-Kremlin narratives.

Zelensky’s remarks are frequently twisted by Trump’s circle, portrayed as critical, and magnified on platforms like Musk’s X and Trump-supportive media. One recent episode saw Trump take umbrage at Zelensky suggesting a long road to peace, viewing it as an insult to his efforts.

Some strategists have suggested that given Trump’s sway, it’s prudent to accommodate his views. Preceding Trump’s tenure, Zelensky diligently fostered bipartisan support in Washington, anticipating the ever-shifting political landscape.

Over the past three years, in at least 94 public acknowledgments of appreciation for the U.S., Zelensky has consistently thanked both Democrats and Republicans.

A new video from the Ukrainian Air Force showcased a pilot expressing gratitude to America for its support. “Together to victory,” he wrote.

Following Trump’s rise to power, Zelensky continuously lauded him, agreeing with his “peace through strength” philosophy, asserting Trump was singularly capable of compelling Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate.

Understanding Trump’s quid-pro-quo tendencies, it was Zelensky who initially suggested that aiding Ukraine aligns with U.S. economic gains due to Ukraine’s wealth in valuable resources.

However, in recent weeks, many in Ukraine and Europe have observed Trump’s apparent commitment to Moscow, often to the detriment of Ukraine and Europe.

“If Trump is influenced by Russia, can we counteract this?” queried Vadym Prystaiko, former Ukrainian foreign minister, suggesting cultural or personal avenues to sway Trump. “If that’s not possible, what’s next?” he questioned.

Zelensky’s recent statements praising Trump and seeking cooperation to end the conflict challenged the possibility of Russia’s preparedness for peace, proposing an immediate partial truce if Russia reciprocated.

While Trump informed Congress that Putin indicated readiness for peace, he omitted Zelensky’s truce suggestion. The strong American-Russian alignment sparks widespread speculation about Trump’s perceived solution to the conflict, seemingly pushing for Kyiv’s concession.