Source — The Kyiv Independent
The Kyiv Independent asked three Ukrainian political experts how they think Ukraine should handle this very delicate, and hugely consequential moment.
Professor Oleksiy Haran, Research advisor at the Democratic Initiatives Foundation
If Trump believes Putin is ready to make peace and start negotiations, there is a high probability that because of the Russian approach — they are not flexible and will try to push, push, push — it may create a backlash from the United States, including from Trump himself.
And as we know, Trump can always change his mind on matters.
Right now he looks very disappointed by Zelensky, and is very aggressive towards him, repeating Russian arguments. But we don't know what will happen in one or two months' time.
So he may change his approach, and his approach to Russia may become harder, he may listen more carefully to Ukrainian arguments.
It's very difficult to predict, frankly speaking. We can only hope.
Dr. Volodymyr Dubovyk, Expert on U.S.-Ukrainian relations and head of Odesa National University's Center for International Studies
I do not believe that this is some sort of sophisticated strategy here on Trump’s part. It is just Trump being Trump. He can’t stand anyone opposing him, or standing in his way.
Zelensky saying that Trump is wrong, even when he says that in the most reserved, polite way is bad enough for Trump. Only flattery works with him, but this is not a time for flattery if you are Ukraine’s leader.
Besides, he has a history with Ukraine and Zelensky, and that is a negative history. He is surrounded by people who have no regard for Ukraine. He is getting his view of Ukraine from people who wish it ill.
Initially, I suppose, Trump tried to appear fair and balanced. But he has a bad temper and no patience, so his intrinsic thinking came to the surface really quickly.
Zelensky is in a hard bind here — he cannot not react to Trump’s insinuations. Besides, he needs to position himself clearly with Ukraine’s interests in the current situation, in light of a high-speed rapprochement with Moscow. On the other hand, of course, he does not want to antagonize Trump.
That is why he appears animated and emotional, but still doing his best to be reserved and calm, not to cross certain lines.
It would be wise, I think, for President Zelensky not to dive into this vicious cycle of back-and-forth mocking and poking, trading accusations.
Perhaps, not all things Trump says call for a reproach.
Oleksandr Kraiev, Expert on North American policy at the foreign policy think tank Ukrainian Prism
When Zelensky and Trump first met in the US… he was very praising of Trump.
He was a good friend to him. So basically, Zelensky got it right on how to talk to Trump. And I do believe he should return to the strategy of interpersonal communication, of building bridges with Trump, of being his good buddy.
First and foremost, we should once again make it personal, but on the good side of Trump. So to some extent, we should play by Trump's playbook.
Of course, some may say it's a lame game to play, but if it provides weapons for Ukraine, if it provides security for Ukraine, and if it provides guarantees and a good deal for Ukraine, I don't care what means we use, we should save our country.
The second point is don't look weak. Trump will never deal with somebody who is weak, who is losing, who is getting prepared to lose, or who is just giving up on all positions. It's not about being only nice.
It's also about being a strong partner on whom Trump can rely, both economically, politically, security-wise, etc. We should play all our cards well. We should present all our pluses, especially the security and military ones.
Ukraine should use all the pluses that Ukraine has and then just work, work, work, constant communication, constant exchanges, and just be there, just be present in Trump's informational bubble.
