A new “momentum for advancing peace” has been created by the Gaza peace deal, and it must now be applied to Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky argued on Tuesday. In a strategic pivot, the Ukrainian leader is using the diplomatic success in the Middle East to re-energize the campaign to end Russia’s invasion of his country.
Zelensky directly credited US President Donald Trump for the Gaza breakthrough and explicitly called for similar leadership to be directed towards the European conflict. “Undoubtedly, the right actions by the United States can also help bring an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine,” he stated, positioning the US as the indispensable peacemaker.
This new diplomatic initiative is being coordinated with key allies. Zelensky highlighted a long discussion with Finnish President Alex Stubb, where they aligned their views on the path forward. This suggests a calculated effort to build a consensus among European nations before making a concerted push with Washington.
The call for a new peace initiative comes as Ukraine continues to suffer from relentless Russian aggression. Zelensky reported that Russia’s “aerial terror” is unabated, citing a night with 96 drone launches and a horrific bombing of a hospital in Kharkiv that left dozens of people injured.
In this context, Zelensky’s appeal for peace is inextricably linked to a demand for military hardware. By requesting Patriot, NASAMS, and other advanced systems, he is arguing that a secure Ukrainian sky is a prerequisite for any genuine negotiations, as it would deny Russia the ability to dictate terms through violence.