By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a second, productive phone call with former US President Donald Trump in as many days. Discussions focused on Ukraine’s defense, including air defense, resilience, long-range capabilities, and details related to the energy sector. The leaders agreed to continue the dialogue, with their teams preparing for further talks. Zelenskyy indicated that the United States is considering opportunities to strengthen cooperation with Ukraine.
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Zelenskyy speaks with Trump for second time in two days, and it’s hard not to immediately consider the context. Let’s be real, the idea of “helping” Ukraine seems to be a concept that only sticks in Trump’s mind when he’s actively engaged. It’s a grim reality, but this back-to-back contact highlights a particular diplomatic dance.
Zelenskyy, in this situation, almost deserves an award just for navigating this terrain. Having to engage with someone like Trump requires a certain…skill set. The sentiment here is clear: if Trump were to somehow facilitate Ukraine regaining all of its occupied territory, a Nobel Peace Prize wouldn’t be out of the question. This isn’t about admiration, but about the potential for preventing a wider conflict, maybe even preventing Russia from attacking the Baltic states and triggering a war in Europe involving nuclear-armed nations.
Avoiding countless deaths is a strong justification for a peace prize. But this is conditional – it hinges on a complete Russian defeat. Zelenskyy, one imagines, understands this reality all too well. He’s likely learned a harsh lesson, which means he’s also probably very aware of the best strategy to get Trump on his side. Perhaps he’s offering compliments, maybe talking about Trump’s… notable physical features, anything to capture and maintain attention.
The frustration in this situation is palpable. It’s tough to avoid feeling like we’re in a bizarre timeline. There’s a level of speculation that borders on the absurd: will there be Tomahawk missiles in the future? Did Trump even remember the first conversation? Zelenskyy has to navigate the fact that he’s dealing with someone whose memory might be…limited, and that his attention span is even shorter. The game is to be the last person he speaks to, the last idea in his head, which means Zelenskyy is stuck in a difficult position.
The suggestion of a meeting with a deck of cards illustrating Russian losses is a vivid, if dark, fantasy. Being the last person Trump talks to is definitely seen as a strategic advantage. The empathy for Zelenskyy is clear: the guy’s already been through so much. And the observation that Trump operates on the principle of “last man standing” is pretty spot-on.
The concerns about Trump’s financial entanglements and potential influence from Russia are, of course, not off the table. There’s a fear that Trump is easily swayed and that Putin may still hold some sway over him. This is a bleak assessment of the situation.
There’s a suggestion that Zelenskyy could simply congratulate Trump on the Peace Prize and talk about a photo of him receiving the award on his desk to butter him up, which is a cynical but plausible view. The idea of leveraging this situation for diplomatic gain is clear: Trump’s attention is the prize, and Zelenskyy is a competitor in the arena. The situation highlights a degree of realism, and the sense that a certain level of flattery or manipulation is necessary.
The frustration expressed is understandable: Zelenskyy shouldn’t have to cater to Trump just to get something done. The sentiment reflects a sense of injustice. However, there is also a pragmatic acknowledgment that this is the reality of the current situation.
The overall impression is that this situation is difficult and at times, even repulsive. This highlights the complicated politics, the personal dynamics at play, and the high stakes. If Trump actually managed to ensure Ukrainian victory, it would be worth it.
The comments suggest that NATO forces stationed on the Ukrainian side of the border with Russia should be a high priority. Trump’s instability, according to some, had the positive effect of forcing Europe to take a long, hard look at their own defenses.
The irony is striking, with a view that the ultimate goal, and potential reward, is a country that continues to exist. It’s a sobering thought.