Zelensky’s Next Play

Three Moves to Turn the Tables

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“Men never do good unless necessity drives them to it; but when they are free to choose and can do just as they please, confusion and disorder become rampant.”
― Niccolò Machiavelli

The Strategic Picture

Here is the situation: Trump is president. Whether one likes it or not, Americans elected him to deliver on key issues they see as priorities, and more importantly, he has supporters who adore him. After Afghanistan and Iraq, they’ve had enough of being misled about wars. This isn’t just about fatigue—it’s about a deep crisis of leadership that no one has addressed, Trump, however, is. Ukraine now finds itself in a brutal reality: balancing American public opinion, Trump’s strategic maneuvering, and ensuring Russia doesn’t see an opportunity to solidify its gains. We need to be clear-eyed—this is the landscape.

Trump’s words about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky aren’t just harsh—they’re a full-contact sport. But once again like it or not, there’s no escape. Zelensky has to play the game, sidestep the traps, and stay in the match—if he wants a seat at the table, a future for Ukraine, and control over his own story. Because right now, Ukraine isn’t just a battlefield in war—it’s a political football in Washington, tossed between Democrats and Republicans with no referee in sight.

Trump is 78 years old, and his approach isn’t going to change—because it doesn’t have to. This is a Machiavellian game, built on power, perception, and leverage, and Zelensky needs to stop reacting and start recalibrating. Every time Trump talks about him, he’s not actually talking about him—he’s taking aim at the Democrats, using Ukraine as a prop in a much bigger spectacle.

Machiavelli warned that politics isn’t about virtue—it’s about survival. U.S. foreign policy is 80% domestic politics in disguise, and Trump plays by those rules better than anyone. Zelensky can’t afford to be a passive player. Instead of pushing back or waiting for sympathy, he needs to reshape his strategy, craft the right narrative, and position himself as useful to Trump’s objectives. In a game of power, those who adapt survive—those who don’t, become cautionary tales.

Trump won’t lift a finger unless Zelensky plays the part he’s been assigned—publicly admitting he was cornered, that weapons arrived too late, and that NATO membership hit a dead end thanks to European foot-dragging. This isn’t about truth; it’s about narrative. If Zelensky doesn’t feed Trump the story he wants, he risks being written out of the script entirely—with nothing to show for it.

Here are three strategic moves Zelensky could consider:

Move 1: Talk to Turkey—Because Power Respects Power

From day one, Trump called Europe’s defense bluff—exposing their grandstanding on Putin while barely scraping together 2% of GDP for defense. Their hesitancy on Ukraine’s NATO and EU ambitions makes one thing clear: Zelensky can’t rely on Europe alone.

Enter Turkey. Unlike Western Europe’s endless debates, Ankara acts. It pushed Assad—Russia’s puppet—out of Syria, proving it can challenge Moscow where it hurts. Erdogan plays his own game, balancing NATO, Russia, and regional power moves, but that’s exactly why he’s an essential ally.

In a game of power, the smart move is to align with those who actually have it. Trump dismisses weakness and values strength—like Turkey's. If Zelensky wants influence in Washington, he needs to show he’s not just another dependent ally but a player who understands leverage. Strength recognizes strength, and right now, strengthening ties with Turkey isn’t just smart—it’s strategic.

Move 2: Play It Like Bibi

American politics isn’t some intricate, sophisticated chessboard—it’s a high school cafeteria, where cliques dominate, alliances shift, and survival depends on knowing exactly where to sit. And that’s precisely what makes it the greatest country in the world—it’s raw, real, and free of illusions about human nature. Power isn’t hidden behind formalities; it’s played out in the open. And no one mastered this game better than Benjamin Netanyahu.

When Obama pushed the JCPOA, Israel faced an existential threat. But instead of fighting the administration directly, Netanyahu made a power move—he positioned himself as the Republicans’ favorite. He bypassed the White House, went straight to Congress, and turned Israel’s security into a GOP rallying cry. The result? He didn’t just block the deal; he locked in unwavering Republican support for decades. And if there’s one thing Trump values above all, it’s loyalty.

Zelensky has one card to play, and it’s not some vague appeal to Western values and unity—it’s choosing a side. He needs to confess to the American public what really happened. No more diplomatic hedging, no more pretending everything was fine. He must position himself as a leader who was cornered by Biden’s empty promises, not the so-called "Democratic asset" that Russian propaganda paints him as. It's a tough situation, but he must acknowledge the perception damage Ukraine has suffered.

While Ukraine fought and bled on the front lines, Russia expanded its influence across the Sahel. While Kyiv begged for weapons, Biden hesitated—sending just enough to prolong the war, but never enough to win it. Zelensky must say it out loud. If he publicly acknowledges how the Biden administration left Ukraine hanging, he doesn’t just grab Trump’s attention—he makes himself his guy. And in Trump’s world, that’s the only way to stay in the game.

In Washington, power isn’t just about policy—it’s about tribes. And in Trump’s world, you’re either with him or forgotten. Zelensky needs to choose wisely.

Move 3: Give Trump What Russia Won’t

Trump sees foreign policy like a business deal—what do you bring to the table? Russia has positioned itself as a player willing to negotiate, offering military cooperation, energy leverage, and geopolitical bargaining chips. If Zelensky wants to stay in the game, he needs to flip the script—not by reacting with panic when the U.S. talks to Russia, but by shaping the narrative to his advantage.

It starts with rhetoric. Instead of treating U.S.-Russia discussions as a calamity, Zelensky should embrace irony: "And so what?" Say it publicly. Call out Russia’s weaknesses. Didn’t Moscow just lose Syria? Isn’t it economically crippled, reliant on Chinese handouts, and desperate for Iranian weapons?

Then, hit Trump where it matters. Remind him that Russia is part of BRICS—the same bloc working to undermine the dollar and weaken U.S. financial dominance. If there’s one thing Trump won’t tolerate, it’s countries trying to chip away at American power. Make it clear that Putin isn’t some grand strategist; he’s stuck, scrambling, and more dependent on China than ever. While Moscow begs Iran for drones and leans on Beijing for economic survival, Ukraine can position itself as the real strategic partner—one that strengthens U.S. influence rather than undermines it.

Finally, shift the focus: Ukraine isn’t the burden—it’s the better bet. Position Kyiv as the smart, strategic, and seductive partner. Trump respects winners, not victims. If Zelensky presents Ukraine as a dynamic player—ready to make deals, boost U.S. influence, and counterbalance Russia in ways Putin never could—he turns himself from a dependent ally into an opportunity Trump can’t ignore.

Final Take:

The world isn’t a diplomatic roundtable—it’s a jungle. Raw power and perception rule, not ideals or bureaucratic processes. Zelensky must accept this reality. The European approach—endless discussions, symbolic gestures, and half-measures—won’t cut it. He cannot afford to ignore Trump, because in this brutal game, survival depends on engaging with power, not avoiding it. His country’s future is on the line.