Zelensky, allies crank up charm offensive to keep Trump at ease

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky made sure to be on his best behaviour for a crucial Oval Office meeting with Donald Trump —and it paid off.

- Bloomberg

Anxious to avoid the disastrous shouting match that ruined his last visit, Zelensky repeatedly thanked Trump for his involvement and handed over a letter for Trump's wife Melania. He wore a black jacket and buttoned-up black dress shirt to deflect MAGA Republican criticism of the less formal wartime garb that's become his trademark.

And he brought backup: several European leaders also looking to plead his case.

The far more accommodating stance worked. Trump and Zelensky got along and, more importantly, he came away with a valuable prize: a commitment from Trump, at least for now, to join security guarantees for any peace deal and reserve discussion on territorial swaps with Russia for later.

“It was our best meeting with President Trump,” Zelensky said. “This is a big step forward.” The gathering was a win for western allies who had flown to Washington in a bid to steer the US president away from a quick deal at Ukraine's expense — something that appeared more likely when he met President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week. After that event, Trump had distanced himself from previous demands, shared by Europe and Ukraine, for a ceasefire before peace talks would start.

‘Something has changed’