Journalists Told About Zelensky's Cunning Tactics Before The Summit In Alaska
15- 14.08.2025, 14:10
- 10,922
Ukraine's president has managed to unite Western allies.
Ukraine in preparing for a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in Alaska has been trying hard to avoid being sidelined and prevent Moscow from dictating terms.
According to The New York Times, emphasizing that after Trump announced his intention to meet with Putin on August 15 and theses regarding the territorial swap gained clarity, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky stepped up efforts to unite Ukraine's allies.
On Wednesday, August 6, Zelensky held a conversation with Trump and European leaders on his way from brigades in the Sumy region. The U.S. president said Moscow was ready to end hostilities as part of an agreement that involves a territorial swap between the aggressor country Russia and Ukraine, the NYT writes, citing informed sources Seeing an opportunity to mediate an end to Russia's war against Ukraine, Trump told his interlocutors that he would meet with Putin to finalize an agreement.
At that point, "Trump tapped into two of Kiev's deepest fears," the NYT writes. That it would be forced to give up Ukrainian territories to Moscow as part of a peace deal. And that the Russian dictator would be given a chance to break out of diplomatic isolation.
"It was a direct challenge to Ukraine's founding principles that territorial issues should be resolved only after a cease-fire and that no agreements can be concluded without Kiev's participation," the article emphasizes.
Days of frantic diplomacy followed this conversation. In an attempt to avoid suspension and prevent the Kremlin from dictating the terms of the peace talks, Zelensky communicated with nearly 30 world leaders. In addition, top advisers to the Ukrainian president have met both online and in person with senior officials in Europe and the United States.
Ukraine, the NYT emphasizes, has employed a tactic honed over years of all-out warfare - rallying allies through constant behind-the-scenes calls and meetings to maintain a seat at the negotiating table. To form a united front and convey its position to Washington, Kiev actively relied on its European partners.
The publication also points out that Kiev's first task was to clearly understand exactly what Moscow's proposals were for ending the fighting. According to the NYT's interlocutors, Trump's words were vague and it remained unclear which territories were being exchanged.
It later became clear that Russia was demanding that Kiev give up territories in eastern Ukraine that remain under the control of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in exchange for a ceasefire. Kiev has tried to convince Washington of the danger of the Russian proposal.
To strengthen its position, Ukraine has enlisted European allies.
"Over the past week, Zelensky has held phone conversations with more than 20 European leaders, including several times with French President Emmanuel Macron," the article noted.
This strategy, the NYT emphasizes, is similar to a familiar tactic that was first employed this spring, when European leaders repeatedly contacted Trump to defend Ukraine's interests in previous rounds of peace talks. They also took on the role of mediators at times when tensions between Kiev and Washington were running high.
The culmination of this week's diplomatic discussions was an online meeting between European leaders, Donald Trump and Vladimir Zelensky on Wednesday, August 13. The Europeans reiterated their key principles: there must first be a ceasefire; the current front lines must be the starting point for any negotiations, including those involving territorial issues; and any agreement must include security guarantees for Ukraine.
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