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Zelenskyy's Diplomatic Pivot Toward Trump: A Calculated Gamble

Published July 28, 2026 at 7:03 AM UTC

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has launched a careful diplomatic campaign to win over Donald Trump, who is expected to be a key figure in shaping US policy toward Ukraine if he returns to the White House. According to German media reports, Zelenskyy is using what some call a 'trick' to pique Trump's interest: framing Ukraine's defense as a business opportunity rather than a moral duty. This approach marks a sharp change from the Biden era, when Ukraine relied on appeals to shared democratic values. With US military aid dependent on congressional approval, Kyiv is now trying to speak Trump's language—emphasizing natural resource deals, US job creation through Ukrainian reconstruction contracts, and positioning Ukraine as a bulwark against China's influence in Europe. The strategy has produced a surprising degree of openness from Trump, who has described himself as the only one who can end the war. Critics warn that personal diplomacy with a transactional leader carries high risks for Ukraine's long-term security interests.