Foreign leaders have been trying to win over Donald Trump in recent days, skeptically recalling the confrontations and rifts of his first term. Convincing Trump that Ukraine's priorities align with his interests is the central goal of Zelensky's strategy.
By the end of his first term, Trump had conflicts with several leaders with whom he had started on good terms. At a recent conference, Dagan and Friedman promoted the book "A Jewish State." Netanyahu, like Trudeau, has had ups and downs with Trump.
Zelensky and Trump share a history, marked by a phone call in 2019 that triggered an impeachment process against Trump. However, recently Zelensky congratulated Trump on his election victory and praised his success.
Several world leaders are adopting different strategies to connect with Trump, some choosing to appeal to his transactional nature, while others are sending teams of officials to the United States to talk with Republican leaders and moderate their more radical tariff policies.
Trump has expressed admiration for Orbán, considering him a strong and powerful leader. However, his protectionist trade policies and aversion to alliances have created conflicts that have hindered the relationship between Trump and several leaders.
When meeting with Trump in New York, Zelensky argued that defending Ukraine was also in the economic interest of the United States. On the other hand, Canadian officials have launched efforts to avoid Trump's radical policies.
Many world leaders have sought to build relationships with people close to Trump or influential groups in his circle. Some analysts fear that Zelensky may be pressured into reaching a peace deal that benefits Russia at the expense of Ukraine.
World leaders seek to influence Trump with diverse approaches, from the conception of transactional relationships to finding common ground on trade or diplomatic issues. The challenge lies in demonstrating to Trump that certain actions are in his interest and can significantly improve his administration.
