Zelensky Eyes Stunning Diplomatic Comeback

 

Trump's Frustration With Putin Gives Zelensky Diplomatic Momentum Amid War Negotiations

U.S. President Donald Trump’s increasingly critical stance toward Russian President Vladimir Putin may signal a diplomatic advantage for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as negotiations to end the war continue to unfold.

Asked which leader irritated Trump more, Zelensky remarked to Ukrainian media, “I may say unpleasant things, but I tell the truth,” contrasting himself with Putin, who “may sometimes say very nice things, but they are false.”

In a week that saw Trump call Putin “crazy” and accuse him of “playing with fire,” Ukrainian analysts told Newsweek that Zelensky may be capitalizing on the U.S. president’s growing impatience with his Russian counterpart to bolster Ukraine’s position at the negotiating table.

After Moscow rejected a 30-day ceasefire proposal supported by both the U.S. and Kyiv, Trump publicly questioned whether Putin was simply stringing him along, further fueling tensions.

Zelensky’s remarks suggesting Trump values his blunt honesty over Putin’s evasiveness appear to be a strategic move to assert greater diplomatic leverage.

Despite initial concerns in Kyiv about how Trump’s return to the White House might affect American support for Ukraine, the dynamic between the two leaders has evolved. Trump had harshly criticized Zelensky in February, accusing him of risking "World War III" during a tense White House meeting. However, their relationship appears to have thawed somewhat following a minerals trade deal and a widely publicized meeting during Pope Francis’ funeral at the Vatican.

While Trump still occasionally targets Zelensky in his rhetoric, his most pointed criticism last week was directed at Putin following a wave of Russian missile and drone strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. Trump referred to the Russian president as “crazy” and claimed that without his own leadership, “lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia”—a statement mocked by Russian state media.

Speaking to reporters, Zelensky said that despite their sometimes strained relations, Trump is more irritated with Putin, noting that dialogue with the Russian leader feels like being “really alone.”

Viktor Kovalenko, a Ukrainian military veteran and publisher of the Ukraine Decoded Substack, told Newsweek that Zelensky will likely continue using Trump’s disillusionment with Putin to Ukraine’s advantage—both internationally and at home. Domestically, he said, Zelensky is trying to portray himself as the leader who “played Trump like a fiddle” in a bid to win over skeptical U.S. Republicans.

Still, Kovalenko cautioned that Trump's frustration with Putin doesn't necessarily translate to support for Zelensky. The U.S., he said, is maintaining a "diplomatic, healthy distance" from both leaders.

Mark Temnycky, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council, said the Kremlin’s stonewalling has frustrated Trump, while Zelensky’s administration has been more engaged with U.S. officials on finding a path to peace—creating a more favorable atmosphere for potential cooperation between Kyiv and Washington.

He added that Russia’s recent deadly attacks on Ukrainian cities could further push U.S. policymakers to coordinate more closely with Zelensky’s government.

Peter Rough, director at the Hudson Institute’s Center on Europe and Eurasia, echoed the sentiment, saying Putin has clearly fallen out of favor with Trump. However, he warned that this shift does not automatically place Zelensky in Trump’s good graces. According to Rough, the White House is now less optimistic about a negotiated settlement than in previous months, with much of the blame resting on Putin’s unwillingness to compromise.

Key Quotes:

Zelensky, on his relationship with Trump:

“I may say unpleasant things, but I tell the truth. And I say what I think.”

Viktor Kovalenko, Ukrainian analyst:

“Zelensky will attempt to exploit Trump’s growing frustration with Putin to strengthen Ukraine’s position before the second round of negotiations and to portray himself domestically as an influential leader who ‘played Trump like a fiddle.’”

Peter Rough, Hudson Institute:

“I don’t think Zelensky is in Trump’s favor, but Putin is increasingly out of the president’s favor. The White House appears less sanguine about the prospect of a negotiated agreement than it was months ago, and most of that is now attributed to Putin’s intransigence.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, on the status of peace talks:

“We need to wait for an answer from the Ukrainian side. Only then can we begin to move forward.”

Trump has reportedly given Putin a two-week window to take the ceasefire proposal seriously, warning of additional sanctions and penalties if Moscow refuses. However, it's unclear whether this ultimatum will prompt any shift in Kremlin policy.

In the meantime, Moscow claims Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has presented specific proposals to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for the next round of peace talks. The Kremlin had earlier proposed holding those talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2, following a first round on May 16—which Putin notably did not attend.

According to Rough, Trump still hopes for a negotiated settlement in the coming months and is awaiting a formal Russian response, promised by Putin in a recent phone call.