For Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a significant diplomatic victory in Washington this week was not measured in new weapons pledges or sweeping declarations, but in something more fundamental: keeping former President Donald Trump engaged in conversation. As the NATO summit unfolded, Zelenskyy's primary objective shifted to ensuring the likely Republican presidential nominee remains attentive to Ukraine's plight, a stark reflection of the anxieties in Kyiv about the future of American support.
The High-Stakes Meeting at the NATO Summit
The context for this delicate diplomacy is the looming US presidential election and the very real possibility of Trump's return to the White House. Trump has frequently boasted that he could end the war with Russia within 24 hours, a claim that sends chills through Ukrainian leadership who fear it might involve forcing them to cede territory. His past criticisms of aid to Ukraine and admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin have made him a figure of deep concern in Kyiv.
Against this backdrop, Zelenskyy secured a critical meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington. The encounter, described as a "good, positive meeting" by Trump's team, lasted roughly 45 minutes. For Zelenskyy, the mere fact that it happened and that Trump listened was a strategic win. His goal was to personally convey the grim realities of the war and the catastrophic consequences of a forced, unfavorable peace.
Zelenskyy's mission was to move beyond the headlines and soundbites, presenting Trump with a detailed, factual account of the conflict. He aimed to explain why certain Russian narratives are false and to outline what Ukraine genuinely needs to achieve a just and lasting victory, rather than a hurried ceasefire that would only allow Russia to rearm.
Navigating the "Trump Factor" in US Politics
The Ukrainian president's outreach is part of a broader, pragmatic recognition of the "Trump factor" in American politics. With polls showing a tight race, Ukraine can no longer afford to align itself solely with the Democratic administration. Zelenskyy has had to adapt his diplomatic playbook, initiating contact with Trump and his key advisors to build a line of communication regardless of the November election outcome.
This strategy involves engaging with figures close to Trump, such as Senators J.D. Vance and Lindsey Graham. The message is consistent: Ukraine is fighting a war for democratic values that align with American interests, and abandoning this fight would empower adversaries like Russia, China, and Iran. The challenge is to frame support for Ukraine not as a charitable endeavour but as a strategic imperative for US global leadership and national security.
However, the path is fraught with uncertainty. Trump's own statements continue to cause alarm. Just days before the summit, he stated that Ukraine might need to cede some territory to end the war, a notion completely unacceptable to Kyiv. This underscores the fragile nature of the dialogue Zelenskyy is trying to maintain.
A Win Defined by Sustained Attention
In the immediate term, Zelenskyy's team counted the Washington visit as a success. They achieved their key goals: securing a new battery of Patriot air defence systems from the US and other allies, and most importantly, holding Trump's attention for a substantive period. The hope in Kyiv is that by maintaining this channel, they can potentially moderate Trump's stance or, at the very least, ensure he makes decisions based on firsthand information rather than Kremlin talking points.
The long-term outlook, however, remains precarious. The future of billions of dollars in military aid hangs in the balance, dependent on the American electorate. Zelenskyy's current victory is a tactical one—keeping the conversation alive today to prevent a disastrous policy shift tomorrow. It is a diplomatic effort defined not by grand triumphs, but by the hard, unglamorous work of preventing a worst-case scenario for a nation at war.
As the world watches the US election, Ukraine's leadership understands that their fate is increasingly intertwined with American domestic politics. Zelenskyy's meeting with Trump was a necessary step in a high-stakes campaign to secure Ukraine's future, one conversation at a time.
