Flattery may very well become the new &lsquo;currency&rsquo; of Ukrainian diplomacy under President Trump. While the world economies try to formulate new strategies after Donald Trump win another term of presidency, Ukraine&rsquo;s actions stand out. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been diplomatic about Trump, noting the ability to negotiate peace in the ongoing war with Russia.
In his New Year annual address, Zelensky was very confident Trump had what it takes to deliver peace according to him &ldquo;The new American president is willing and capable of ending Putin&rsquo;s aggression&rdquo;. Such statements suggest that he has been very keen and strategic in seeking the support of the United States as Ukraine faces numerous problems in the war.
Sweet Words for a Vital Friend
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Zelenski took it up a notch, calling Trump a &ldquo;much stronger&rdquo; president and using talking points that are supportive of Trump&rsquo;s presidency. Lawmakers in the Ukraine have also moved in this direction; one MP nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in November.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">This is not the first time that Ukraine&rsquo;s diplomats have tried to butter up Russian politicians. The same could be said about Zelensky&rsquo;s earlier &lsquo;praising&rsquo; of Trump as a &lsquo;great teacher&rsquo; during Trump&rsquo;s phone call with him in 2019, which everyone assumed was only to seek the American president&rsquo;s favour. Today, when Ukraine depends on the American military assistance such strategies imply even greater risks.</li>
</ul>
Navigating Complex Diplomacy
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">During Joe Biden's presidency, the United States has become the largest supplier of military assistance to Ukraine. Still, Trump&rsquo;s campaign promises to bring peace have made Kyiv reconsider the issue. Trump is hoping to negotiate the end of the conflict, which may or may not mean the United States will be involved.</li>
</ul>
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://currentnews.news/admin/storage/news/HhtpPMSzomkDOhKENQhLWXjvgnmf2XF0pDVuOJZe.png" alt="Trump" width="820" height="450">
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">&ldquo;Sadly for Zelensky, he cannot afford to be hostile towards Trump,&rdquo; Joanna Hosa, a fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. The situation illustrates the fine art of walking the tightrope: while combating Ukraine&rsquo;s interests, Zelensky has to keep an unpredictable partner satisfied.</li>
</ul>
The Economic and Military Factors
However, Ukraine has offered tangible ideas that could help the United States administration go beyond words. In October, Zelensky presented the so-called &lsquo;Victory Plan&rsquo; and promised that Ukraine can contribute to NATO&rsquo;s security and provide an opportunity for mineral sales for American companies, benefits the latter will gain.
Trust and Outcome as a Sign of a Challenge
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Still, there is suspicion as to the trustworthiness of any agreement achieved at the negotiating table with Russia, even for Ukraine. Previous peace gestures it has made also turned out to be a smokescreen. The same commentators posit that Ukraine is seeking to put its fight in this context in service of strengthening the United States in the global sphere.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">While flattery as a strategy has had its meaning fluctuate over time, it seems that for Zelensky it is a cost worth paying for Ukraine&rsquo;s continued existence. &ldquo;He faced a choice: &ldquo;The President still has it within him to fire the more hawkish advisors and move closer to complete subservience to Putin,&rdquo; Hosa. For Ukraine the situation is critical, every diplomatic step matters and becoming a member of the FTT is crucial.</li>
</ul>
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://currentnews.news/admin/storage/news/yrsNcOdkFViTQqotyUyRi3JtYGotGspb8FtuiU7O.png" alt="Ukraine" width="820" height="450">
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Flattery may very well become the new &lsquo;currency&rsquo; of Ukrainian diplomacy under President Trump. While the world economies try to formulate new strategies after Donald Trump win another term of presidency, Ukraine&rsquo;s actions stand out. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been diplomatic about Trump, noting the ability to negotiate peace in the ongoing war with Russia.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">In his New Year annual address, Zelensky was very confident Trump had what it takes to deliver peace according to him &ldquo;The new American president is willing and capable of ending Putin&rsquo;s aggression&rdquo;. Such statements suggest that he has been very keen and strategic in seeking the support of the United States as Ukraine faces numerous problems in the war.</li>
</ul>
Sweet Words for a Vital Friend
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Zelenski took it up a notch, calling Trump a &ldquo;much stronger&rdquo; president and using talking points that are supportive of Trump&rsquo;s presidency. Lawmakers in the Ukraine have also moved in this direction; one MP nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in November.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">This is not the first time that Ukraine&rsquo;s diplomats have tried to butter up Russian politicians. The same could be said about Zelensky&rsquo;s earlier &lsquo;praising&rsquo; of Trump as a &lsquo;great teacher&rsquo; during Trump&rsquo;s phone call with him in 2019, which everyone assumed was only to seek the American president&rsquo;s favour. Today, when Ukraine depends on the American military assistance such strategies imply even greater risks.</li>
</ul>
Navigating Complex Diplomacy
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">During Joe Biden's presidency, the United States has become the largest supplier of military assistance to Ukraine. Still, Trump&rsquo;s campaign promises to bring peace have made Kyiv reconsider the issue. Trump is hoping to negotiate the end of the conflict, which may or may not mean the United States will be involved.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">&ldquo;Sadly for Zelensky, he cannot afford to be hostile towards Trump,&rdquo; Joanna Hosa, a fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. The situation illustrates the fine art of walking the tightrope: while combating Ukraine&rsquo;s interests, Zelensky has to keep an unpredictable partner satisfied.</li>
</ul>
The Economic and Military Factors
However, Ukraine has offered tangible ideas that could help the United States administration go beyond words. In October, Zelensky presented the so-called &lsquo;Victory Plan&rsquo; and promised that Ukraine can contribute to NATO&rsquo;s security and provide an opportunity for mineral sales for American companies, benefits the latter will gain.
Trust and Outcome as a Sign of a Challenge
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Still, there is suspicion as to the trustworthiness of any agreement achieved at the negotiating table with Russia, even for Ukraine. Previous peace gestures it has made also turned out to be a smokescreen. The same commentators posit that Ukraine is seeking to put its fight in this context in service of strengthening the United States in the global sphere.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">While flattery as a strategy has had its meaning fluctuate over time, it seems that for Zelensky it is a cost worth paying for Ukraine&rsquo;s continued existence. &ldquo;He faced a choice: &ldquo;The President still has it within him to fire the more hawkish advisors and move closer to complete subservience to Putin,&rdquo; Hosa. For Ukraine the situation is critical, every diplomatic step matters and becoming a member of the FTT is crucial.</li>
</ul>

Amid ongoing war with Russia, Ukraine adopts a diplomatic strategy to align with U.S. President Donald Trump, highlighting his potential to achieve peace.

Ukraine’s Strategic Diplomacy: Flattering Trump to Secure Peace