Since Donald Trump’s reelection as US president, world leaders have been eager to gain his favor. Ukraine, in particular, has been making significant efforts to win his support.
In his New Year address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed confidence in Trump’s ability to end Putin’s aggression. He stated, “I have no doubt that the new American president is willing and capable of achieving peace and ending Putin’s aggression.”
Zelensky Praises Trump’s Strength
Zelensky’s efforts to gain Trump’s favor did not stop with his New Year remarks. Just days later, he praised Trump’s strength, calling him a “much stronger” candidate than Kamala Harris. He added, “He showed that he can do it intellectually and physically.”
Zelensky is not the only prominent Ukrainian seeking to court Trump. In November, a Ukrainian MP nominated Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize, according to the Kyiv Independent.
Flattering Trump: A Common Strategy
Such tactics are not unique to Ukraine; foreign powers have long used similar approaches. For example, China took Trump to the Forbidden City, and the UK enlisted the royal family during his first term. Likewise, Ukraine has flattered Trump in hopes of building a relationship. In a 2019 phone call, Zelensky called Trump a “great teacher.”
Ukraine Faces High Stakes
Meanwhile, the stakes for Ukraine have never been higher. Ukrainian forces are struggling in the war against Russia, particularly in the eastern regions where they are vastly outnumbered. Retaking occupied territory seems increasingly unlikely. However, the US remains Ukraine’s largest military supporter, and Zelensky understands that maintaining Trump’s favor is critical for continued assistance.
As Joanna Hosa, a policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, explained, “Unfortunately, Zelensky does not have the luxury to be hostile towards Trump. He must at least try to get him on Ukraine’s side.”
Trump’s Peace Strategy
Trump, for his part, has emphasized the need to end the war in Ukraine, suggesting that negotiations could soon be possible. His peace plan appears to contain elements that would be favorable to the Kremlin.
In light of this, Zelensky seems increasingly open to negotiations, even hinting at battlefield concessions. Hosa noted, “Of course, Ukraine would want to recapture all land it lost. However, after three years of this exhausting war, recapturing all land is nowhere in sight.”
Trump’s Strength Appeal
Zelensky has consistently praised Trump’s strength, which aligns with the president-elect’s “peace through strength” philosophy. As Zelensky told United News, Ukraine’s wartime TV network, “Trump could be crucial. I think this is the most important thing for us. His qualities are like that. He can be decisive in this war. He can stop Putin.”
Trust in Trump’s Bold Moves
Orysia Lutsevych, deputy director of Chatham House’s Russia and Eurasia Programme, believes that Zelensky’s praise is genuine. She stated, “I think he genuinely believes that Trump can make bold moves.”
Trump’s Relationship with Putin
Furthermore, Trump’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin adds another layer of complexity. Unlike many world leaders, Trump has long expressed admiration for Putin and has suggested that he can work with him. Consequently, Putin has been more open to engaging with Trump. After Trump’s election win, Putin praised him as a “courageous man” and expressed his readiness to meet.
However, even if Russia agrees to negotiations, past actions suggest that its commitments may not be reliable. As CNN’s Nick Paton Walsh points out, Moscow’s previous peace promises have often been deceptive.
Ukraine’s Strategy: Strengthening US Power
Lutsevych also believes that Ukraine is framing its potential defeat over Moscow as a way to enhance America’s global power. She stated, “Whether Trump will believe this is a viable strategy is another question.”
Zelensky’s Proposals for Future Collaboration
Additionally, Zelensky has offered future cooperation in the form of swapping US troops in Europe with Ukrainian forces once the war ends. This could bolster NATO and strengthen European security, aligning with Trump’s long-standing calls for Europe to contribute more to defense.
Moreover, Zelensky’s “Victory Plan” includes a deal regarding Ukraine’s rich mineral resources, which could be an attractive economic opportunity for the US.
Flattery and Unpredictability
While flattery is a well-known diplomatic strategy, Trump’s unpredictability makes it unclear whether it will work. His welcome by British monarch Queen Elizabeth II in 2019 did not prevent him from later criticizing British leaders on Twitter.
However, Hosa believes that Zelensky’s approach is starting to pay off. Trump acknowledged in July 2024 that the conflict in Ukraine would take longer to resolve than anticipated. Hosa concluded, “He [Zelensky] faced a choice: flatter Trump or be forced to capitulate to Putin. Flattery is a small price to pay for a better outcome than that.”