The relationship between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky has significantly thawed, moving from an infamous televised feud to a strategic and “very positive” partnership, evidenced by their phone call on Saturday. This closer strategic tie is a major development in the war against Russia.
The initial tensions between the two leaders, including their publicly strained interactions, have been replaced by a pragmatic alignment on the strategy to end the “Russian war.” Trump’s description of Zelensky as a “nice guy” signaled the beginning of this shift months ago.
The substance of their call confirmed the depth of this new relationship. Zelensky felt comfortable enough to congratulate Trump on the Gaza deal and immediately pivot to the grim reality of Russian attacks on Kyiv’s energy system and the urgent need for support.
Crucially, the two leaders aligned on strategy: the pursuit of “concrete agreements” to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense is based on the shared belief that “real diplomacy” must be “achieved through strength.” This common philosophy is the bedrock of their closer ties.
This forging of a closer strategic alliance is a clear signal to Russia. It indicates that the US is committed to working collaboratively with Kyiv, ensuring that Ukraine’s defense and negotiating leverage are robustly maintained.