Ukraine opens new front against Russia and woos Trump

Ukraine opens new front against Russia and woos Trump

Heads of state around the world have been rushing to curry favor with Donald Trump ever since he was elected Re-election as US President. The rapprochement on the part of Ukraine is particularly striking. In his Neujan address Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, that he has “no doubt that the new American president is ready and able to bring peace and end Putin’s aggression.” This statement reflects his strategy to get closer to Trump.

Approach tactics

Just a few days later, Zelensky noted in an American podcast that Trump had won as a “significantly stronger” candidate than Kamala Harris. He added: “He has proven he can do it both intellectually and physically.” Zelensky is not alone; Other prominent Ukrainians are also trying to appease Trump. A member of Zelensky's party even nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in November, as if from one Write According to the Kyiv Independent.

Historical comparisons

Such tactics are not new among foreign powers. Just think of how China invited Trump to the Forbidden City or how the British government used the royals during his term in the White House. Ukraine has also resorted to similar means in the past; During a phone call described as "textbook pandering," Zelensky praised Trump as a "great teacher" in which Trump called on Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden and his son Hunter.

Ukraine's geopolitical challenges

The situation for Ukraine this year could not be more urgent. Kyiv is under pressure in its war against Russia in 2025 as Ukrainian forces struggle to hold back Russian advances in the east. The chances of regaining occupied Russian territory in the short term appear to be increasingly slim. Under President Biden The US has become the largest provider of military support to Ukraine, and Kyiv understands the importance of staying on Trump's side to secure future support.

The path to peace through strength

“Unfortunately, Zelensky doesn’t have the freedom to be hostile to Trump,” said Joanna Hosa, a policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, in an interview with CNN. “He must at least try to get him on Ukraine’s side to ensure the best possible outcome for the country, which depends enormously on American support.” Trump has repeatedly emphasized the need to To end Russia's war in Ukraine, suggesting negotiations could be imminent.

The search for common interests

Another factor is that, unlike previous US administrations, Trump believes he can maintain good relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has repeatedly expressed his admiration for Putin and said he wanted to meet him “very quickly” after taking office. For his part, Putin, who has been called a “butcher” by Biden, appears open to building ties with Trump. After Trump's election victory, Putin congratulated him and called him a "brave man." He even stated during a year-end press conference that he was willing to meet with him.

The uncertainty of negotiations

Even if Russia is brought to the negotiating table, there are doubts about its reliability. CNN's chief international security correspondent, Nick Paton Walsh, points out that Moscow's previous peace promises in Ukraine have been marked by deception, suggesting that any possible ceasefire agreement could only exist on paper. Lutsevych believes that the Ukrainian government is trying to portray Kiev's defeat by Moscow as something that would strengthen America's "power projection" on the world stage.

Economic perspectives and incentives

Zelensky has also offered Trump economic benefits. Last October, he unveiled a proposal to swap some of the U.S. troops stationed in Europe for Ukrainian troops once Russia's war in Ukraine ends. He argued that the war experience of Kiev's armed forces could be usefully incorporated into NATO, the military alliance that has provided assurances to Ukraine, and could help ensure security in Europe. This should please a US president who has called for Europe to do more on defense.

In addition, Zelensky has appealed to Trump with his so-called “Victory Plan,” unveiled last October and including a major deal with the US on minerals – a key resource in which Ukraine is rich. According to one report According to the New York Times, the signing of the minerals agreement has already been postponed twice, perhaps to give Trump a chance to score points when he takes office.

Fluttering as a strategy

Although flattering Trump is a common tactic, his unpredictability makes it difficult to predict the chances of success. His welcoming words from then-British monarch Queen Elizabeth II in 2019 didn't stop him from issuing a series of angry tweets shortly before he landed, calling London Mayor Sadiq Khan a "stone-cold loser." However, Hosa believes there are signs that Zelensky's approach is having an impact, as Trump has now acknowledged that it will take longer than 24 hours to end the conflict - a sign of his changing stance.

“He [Zelensky] faced a choice: flatter Trump or be forced to capitulate to Putin,” Hosa said. “Flattery is a small price to pay for a better result than that.”

CNN's Tim Lister and Daria Tarasova-Markina contributed to this report.