Ukraine has a Trump strategy
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Ukraine has navigated a turbulent political landscape since Russia’s 2022 invasion. Its strategy has shifted among direct negotiations, military offensives and increasingly complex diplomatic back channels.
Under President Biden, the U.S. pledged support for Ukraine for “as long as it takes," and it seemed that military aid and assistance from North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies would guarantee Ukraine’s resilience. But Donald Trump’s 2024 victory left Ukrainian officials guessing about his next steps.
They had to come to terms with the danger that the aid they received from the Biden administration might not be continued under the new president. Initially, Ukrainian diplomats were slow to adapt to Mr. Trump.
His foreign-policy platform seemed at odds with Ukraine’s ambitions. It took months for Kyiv to understand that the president wasn’t particularly concerned with the intricacies of Russian aggression—he was wholly focused on achieving a peace agreement. This realization was difficult for many in Ukraine, but as time passed, their strategy evolved.
With advice from British and French diplomats, Ukrainian officials came to a critical understanding: They needed to engage with Mr. Trump’s diplomacy, demonstrate their willingness to cooperate, and wait for Russia to be the first to reject any potential cease-fire or peace talks. This approach allows Ukraine to avoid blame when talks inevitably fall apart.
The strategy, however, is dependent on Mr. Trump. In his efforts to position himself as a peacemaker, the president faces two paths forward—neither of which are simple.
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