President Volodymyr Zelensky is using a simple, powerful logic to make his case for ending the war with Russia: “If a war can be stopped in one region, then surely other wars can be stopped as well.” This argument, made after the Gaza peace deal, forms the core of his new appeal to the world.
This statement, first made after a congratulatory call to US President Donald Trump, is designed to cut through diplomatic complexity and present a clear, hopeful message. Zelensky is arguing that the Gaza agreement, which he called an “outstanding achievement,” should not be seen as a one-off event but as a repeatable success.
He believes the key ingredient is American leadership. Zelensky has consistently pointed to Trump’s role as decisive and is now calling for that same level of engagement in Europe. He asserts that the “right actions by the United States” could be the catalyst that finally ends the Russian invasion.
Zelensky is working to ensure this message resonates. His coordination with allies like Finnish President Alex Stubb is aimed at building a broad international consensus around this simple but compelling logic for a renewed peace effort.
Of course, the logic is presented against an illogical backdrop of continued violence. Zelensky’s reports of bombed hospitals and damaged power stations serve as a constant reminder that for his simple peace logic to prevail, it must be backed by the complex military hardware needed to deter aggression.
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