By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that his meeting with former US President Donald Trump at the NATO summit in The Hague was positive. The leaders discussed various topics, including the Middle East, protecting Ukrainian citizens, the procurement of American air defense systems, and the Istanbul talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations. Zelenskyy also presented Trump with battlefield updates, emphasizing that Russia was not prevailing. The 45-minute meeting occurred after the main NATO leaders’ session and a declaration pledging support for Ukraine’s armed forces.
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Zelenskyy after meeting with Trump: “We talked about the battlefield. Putin is definitely not winning.” These words, spoken after a meeting with Donald Trump, are a crucial message, especially for Western audiences. It’s a concise statement packed with strategic importance, aiming to counteract potential war fatigue that can set in as conflicts drag on.
Zelenskyy understands that perception matters. He’s highlighting that Russia hasn’t achieved any of its core objectives: regime change, Ukrainian capitulation, fracturing NATO, or significant territorial gains despite the enormous cost of the war.
The discussions reportedly revolved around critical needs, namely the acquisition of American air defense systems. The intention is to shield Ukrainian cities, infrastructure, and, most importantly, the people. This emphasis on defense and protection is smart, resonating with a desire for security and self-preservation that transcends political divides.
The meeting, in comparison to a prior White House encounter, reveals a distinct shift. Where Trump once dismissed Ukraine as an aggressor, there are now “long and substantive” talks about battlefield realities and military cooperation. The dynamic has changed. Trump’s own experiences have played a part. His policy successes, in the realm of foreign policy, have been few, and the complexities of global affairs have forced him to grapple with the realities on the ground. This also means that the resilience of Ukraine, in the face of overwhelming adversity, has made him recognize the importance of a country’s role in the world.
The fact that discussions included potential U.S. air defense systems and collaborative drone production is especially noteworthy. Ukraine has, in effect, become a testing ground for American weaponry against Russian systems. This has resulted in the provision of vital data for U.S. defense corporations, which, in turn, forms a more sustainable base for cooperation than relying solely on aid dependency.
The assessment is that Trump is finally coming to terms with reality, stepping away from campaign rhetoric and the simplistic notion that he could easily resolve the conflict. This shift towards acknowledging the complexities of the war marks a notable change.
The larger context of the meeting is significant as well. The fact that it occurred at a NATO summit, where the focus is on reinforcing alliance solidarity, indicates a different strategy than the bilateral pressure campaign Trump initially favored. Zelenskyy, with his experience and political savviness, is learning how to handle Trump.
The reality is that Ukraine has faced a protracted war and has paid an immense price in terms of both property and human lives. Russia, also, is heavily impacted by this war. Putin, in the meantime, may have lost the opportunity to make peace when the US leadership was friendlier and more open to facilitating such an outcome.
The focus has shifted towards an assessment of the battlefield. Zelenskyy’s assertion that Putin is “definitely not winning” is a strategic statement. This implies that while the conflict has become a stalemate, the balance of power is not shifting towards Russia. It’s a subtle but critical point.
The idea of Trump getting narcissistic supply from Putin, is interesting, as the former president has a tendency to pedestalize certain people to make himself feel better by association. Trump is now seemingly forced to concede, that Putin played him, and that the situation is now more than a simple phone call.
The narrative is focused on the military support provided by the United States and its contribution. It is clear that Zelenskyy is aware of what support is needed to strengthen Ukraine, so the United States can keep providing. The intention is to create a dog whistle for both Trump and Putin.
The current administration’s approach to the war may be a part of a more complex strategy. The intention to make Russia engage in a protracted land war and to provide Ukraine with enough resources to resist while stopping short of delivering the resources needed to win could be part of a greater picture.
Zelenskyy is now portrayed as a hero, and it shows a strength and resolve that is admired around the world. His courage in facing an enemy of this magnitude is the kind of leadership that should inspire any country. The goal is to keep American aid flowing to Ukraine, and to push for the military support that is so desperately needed.