In brief
Ukrainian leadership is making fervent efforts to engage Donald Trump as President-elect, hoping to secure U.S. support in their struggle against Russian aggression.
In an all-out diplomatic effort, Ukraine is trying to land President-elect Donald J. Trump firmly in its corner as they navigate the precarious landscape of the ongoing conflict with Russia. With stakes high and military operations under pressure, Ukrainian officials are employing a mix of flattery and strategic timing to seize the moment.Last weekend, President Volodymyr Zelensky undertook a significant journey of nearly 1,500 miles for a possible meeting with Trump in Paris, where the two leaders did, in fact, connect. In a notable diplomatic move, Ukraine postponed signing a vital minerals cooperation agreement with the U.S. until Trump takes office, thereby positioning him to take credit for the deal rather than President Biden. There's even been a nomination of Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize by Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksandr Merezhko, who underscored the importance of peace for Ukraine stemming from Trump’s past military support."The fate of Ukraine depends on Trump," said Merezhko, emphasizing gratitude for the former president's past commitments, including the provision of anti-tank Javelin missiles during his first term. This undercurrent of appreciation is emerging against a backdrop of uncertainty regarding Trump’s skepticism about U.S. involvement in the region and his previous critique of Zelensky.Since Trump's election, Zelensky has subtly shifted his public messaging to signal readiness for possible negotiations with Russia. This includes the potential of ceding territories currently under Russian control in exchange for peace, presenting a more flexible stance compared to Russia's aggressive posturing. These signals aim to resonate with Trump’s future foreign policy team and suggest that Ukraine is a rational player in the geopolitical arena.Describing the current situation, Alyona Getmanchuk of the New Europe Center observed, "They want to secure their place on the new U.S. administration’s radar. They’re trying to establish contacts, build bridges." Such endeavors reveal Ukraine's urgency and the lengths to which it will go to ensure continued support from the incoming administration, even amidst the shifting tides of war.
