How Zelenskyy Can Make Peace With Trump. Three Important Points

Verbal inappropriateness should not be a sentence for Ukraine

The verbal exchange of "compliments" between Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump in the spirit of the stadium [the author refers to the pre-election debate between Zelenskyy and Poroshenko in 2019 that took place at the Olympic Stadium) could be considered a curiously unfortunate but not fatal episode in relations between Kyiv and Washington. We have experienced many other things in the long history of our strategic partnership. In other circumstances, we would have seen a sharp cooling in bilateral relations, followed by a series of classic diplomatic demarches, including summoning the ambassador to the Foreign Ministry or even recalling our own representative to the capital for consultations. One way or another, the logic and practice of the diplomatic service requires clarifying all the circumstances of the statements and their content (and interpretation). After all, we are talking about a real diplomatic scandal at the highest level.

However, the circumstances in which Ukraine is currently living do not make it possible to consider this verbal equilibristics with raised voices as curious or unfortunate. Why? Because it can really be fatal. It is quite obvious that such a development should have been avoided because that is what diplomacy, protocol and tact, and awareness of the partner with whom you are dealing are for.

Donald Trump is no picnic, and over the course of his career, he has proven that he is ready for unconventional tricks and statements. For unexpected steps that irritate and frighten not only Ukraine. He is mercilessly criticized by his opponents back home and his allies in European capitals alike. After the recent events, the criticism will not diminish, of that we can be sure. However, he is the head of state elected by the American people, and if anyone should have questions about his statements and approaches, it is the American voters. Ukraine (and Europe) will have to deal with whoever is in the White House today. No matter how we feel about it.

It would be in Ukraine’s best interests to be on Trump’s “white list.” Yes, this is a peculiar company, as George Maloney, Benjamin Netanyahu, Javier Miley, Narendra Modi, and, incidentally, Viktor Orban are among the favorites of the current US president. The vacancy for Volodymyr Zelenskyy on this list is obviously in question. Trump is not Biden. The former US president also had episodes of “heated communication” with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but for Joe Biden, the fate of Ukraine and the strength of the US-Ukrainian strategic partnership were the goals above personalities. This automatically guaranteed us a secure place on Washington's list of priorities until 2025. It is critically important in the current circumstances to avoid a situation in which not only Zelenskyy but also Ukraine is not on Trump's list. We have to frankly admit that we are all one step away from this, and the ratio of blame somebody bears for this development is of secondary importance.

So, what are the conclusions from the current situation and what should be done?

First. What is allowed for a politician is not allowed for a statesman. Especially not a statesman whose decisions and steps affect the future of a state that is facing an existential threat to its existence. A politician can use emotion as an instrument of political struggle. At the same time, a statesman must be devoid of emotions when considering and making decisions that affect the country as a whole and every citizen in that country. The same approaches are inherent in diplomacy, which — as we have long called for — should be governed by the rules of national interest, wisdom and cunningness, not emotions, insults, publicity and shows.

Second. The President of Ukraine has a wide range of tools to respond to external challenges. In this case, he did not have to respond personally to the inappropriate comments of the head of another state, the President of the United States. There are numerous services of the Presidential Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassy for this purpose. There are channels of parliamentary interaction, interagency channels and covert channels. Public communication is used only when all other channels have failed or when there is a decision to deliberately aggravate bilateral relations. If Volodymyr Zelenskyy's comments were based on this logic, then he was either set up by his advisors or made an unbalanced decision himself. It's easy to get into a crisis; it's hard to get out.

Third. Volodymyr Zelenskyy's comments about Donald Trump are based on the logic of showmanship rather than efficiency. Today, a pragmatic approach, a search for understanding and rapprochement, rather than confrontation and escalation, should prevail. This is what our allies and friends do. The quality of relations between Kyiv and Washington is one of the key priorities for protecting Ukraine's national interests. A mistake in assessing the situation in which our country finds itself in Washington, and especially in the White House, can be too costly for Ukraine itself. There is almost a consensus in pessimistic assessments that without American assistance, it will be very difficult for both Ukraine and its European allies to effectively counter Russian aggression. Coordinating common approaches, pointing out the error of assessments, arguing one's vision and gaining support for Ukraine's interests is a difficult task even for an experienced negotiator, a true leader and a statesman. Most likely, the efforts made will not be appreciated, but the result on the scoreboard will indicate success.

Today, it is difficult to say what the consequences of the surge of emotions at the highest level of relations between Kyiv and Washington will be. However, everything should be done to first calm down and then stabilize and smooth out communication.

The first priority is to have an immediate direct contact with Trump. Let’s recall how President Zelenskyy boasted about his allegedly brilliant phone conversation with the White House host and boasted about the direct contact number he received. It seems like it’s time to pick up the phone, dial the number and talk.

We must immediately restore trust between the leaders of Ukraine and the United States. We cannot allow Trump to trust Putin more than Ukrainians. The joint visit of French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Washington is a good opportunity.

The further "demonization" of Trump and the promotion of anti-American hysteria in the Ukrainian information and public space should be stopped and prevented. It is clear that the aggressor will be the only winner of the confrontation. As an example, let us note that the Trump administration has not lifted a single package of sanctions against Russia for its crimes against our country.

If the interpersonal conflict escalates further, we may face the threat that our international partners and allies will be forced to choose sides: either to take a place under the banner of American leadership or, together with the Ukrainian authorities, to become an object of Trump's political, economic and psychological pressure. We must prevent such a split.

So, here’s a piece of advice: in the future, when deciding how to act and comment on the positions of the American leadership, you should first answer three key questions.

First, will this decision or statement strengthen trust in relations with the White House?

Second, will this help Ukraine get more American weapons, get closer to security guarantees, NATO membership, or peace and victory?

Third, will this decision have a positive impact on the level of economic and financial support from the United States and international institutions with decisive American influence?

And only if the answers to these three questions are yes, should we act and speak. So that a beautiful and apt — at first glance — emotion does not turn into a sentence against the state.

It is of fundamental importance that the authorities nurture (strengthen, not undermine) unity both outside and inside the state. In discord lies the threat of defeat.

Read this article in Ukrainian and russian.