The Shifting Landscape of Global Politics: Zelensky, Trump, and Putin
A Leader’s Fading Spotlight
For three years, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been the rallying figure for the West’s united front against Russia. His presence has been reminiscent of Churchill, embodying a moral stance against Putin’s autocratic regime. However, recent events have cast a shadow over his once-central role. On Wednesday, in Kyiv, Zelensky appeared diminished on stage alongside US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. He had hoped for a face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump to discuss a comprehensive peace vision, but instead, he was presented with what he referred to as “serious people” and a financial deal he opted not to sign. This moment marked a stark contrast to his previous prominence, leaving many to wonder if he is even in the right room anymore.
Trump’s Divided Attention and the Russia Factor
While Zelensky’s team scrambled to schedule a meeting with Trump, the US President was occupied elsewhere—reportedly holding his second recent call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This exchange was sweetened by the release of American prisoner Marc Fogel from Russian custody, a move that provided a PR coup for the Kremlin. Trump’s public celebration of Fogel’s release, wrapped in the Stars and Stripes, sent a subtle message to the American public: perhaps Russia isn’t the villain it’s made out to be. For Zelensky, these developments have been nothing short of a nightmare. Once the darling of European leaders, he now finds himself second on Trump’s call list, trailing behind Putin—a man indicted for war crimes against Ukraine.
The Erosion of Western Unity
The details of Trump and Putin’s conversation remain unclear, but the implications are troubling. Putin has long awaited this moment, hoping to exploit the West’s fatigue with the war in Ukraine to fracture NATO’s unity. Trump’s recent actions suggest he may be playing into Putin’s hands. The US President has even praised Putin for using his campaign slogan, “common sense,” a gesture that hints at a dangerous alignment. Meanwhile, Zelensky’s hopes for a meaningful peace deal were further dashed by new US Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth, who outlined a plan that excluded Ukraine from NATO and barred American involvement in peacekeeping forces. For Zelensky, these developments are a bitter pill to swallow.
The Emergence of a Controversial Peace Plan
The outlines of a peace plan are taking shape, one that aligns closely with proposals put forth by retired Gen. Keith Kellogg earlier this year. Under this plan, Ukraine would forgo NATO membership, accept a ceasefire, and potentially hold elections under international supervision. Additionally, Ukrainian aid would be restructured as loans, shifting the burden of repayment to Kyiv. These terms were likely part of the financial deal Bessent presented to Zelensky, a deal that reflects a broader shift in US policy. For Zelensky, who has repeatedly demanded American involvement in peacekeeping as a security guarantee, this plan is little short of a betrayal.
Rare Earth Minerals and the Unsettling Precedent
Rare earth minerals were also on the agenda during Bessent’s visit to Kyiv. While this might seem like a positive development, history offers a cautionary tale. In 2017, Trump expressed interest in Afghanistan’s vast mineral wealth, only to sign a deal with the Taliban two years later that handed the country over to the same group heonce labeled terrorists. This precedent raises questions about the sincerity of Trump’s involvement in Ukraine. Is this a genuine effort to broker peace, or is it another opportunistic venture driven by economic interests?
The Future of Ukraine and the Global Power Balance
Ultimately, the situation in Ukraine is no longer about Zelensky or his people—it’s about the geopolitical maneuvering between Trump and Putin. For Trump, the war in Ukraine is a problem he believes he could have prevented and one he now hopes to resolve quickly. His focus, however, is not on Zelensky but on Putin, the man he seeks to make a deal with. For Zelensky, this reality is grim. His fate, and that of his nation, hangs in the balance of a global power struggle. As the West’s unity fractures and the US distances itself from Ukraine, one thing is clear: the world is witnessing a seismic shift in global politics, and Ukraine is caught in the crossfire.
