“President Zelensky’s International Diplomatic Efforts in the Face of War in Ukraine”

For a year, the world saw Volodymyr Zelensky mainly from his bunker, for video messages for his people or connections with parliaments around the world. He is now boarding the plane more and more.

He has made nine foreign trips to date. After Poland, Finland and the Netherlands, for example, Italy is on the agenda this weekend, with a reported visit to the Pope. He may then travel on to Germany. The pressure to really look all world leaders in the eye increased.

Researcher Julia Soldatiuk of the Clingendael Institute, herself a Ukrainian, understands that Zelensky initially remained alone in his country. “The captain had to stay on the ship, which showed strong leadership,” she says. “But he also showed the seriousness of the situation to the rest of the world.”

Zelensky captured international attention with many online speeches. Everywhere he tried to strike a national chord and then asked for economic and military support. Because the war in Ukraine is, according to him, a European war, in which the freedom of the entire democratic, Western world is under attack.

After nine months of war, this changed for the first time. “War fatigue grew, while the Ukrainian army needed extra modern weapons, such as tanks. And not everything can be done online,” says Soldatiuk. And so Zelensky packed his suitcase, with the United States as his first destination.

“A logical choice,” says Ron Keller, former ambassador to both Ukraine and Russia. “It is the most visible ally for Ukraine, a pillar of support. Within Europe there is not one clear point of contact because every country deals with the war slightly differently.”

Support from the US is not self-evident. There will be presidential elections in 2024 and it is highly questionable whether a possible Republican president will continue to support Ukraine. The trip earns Zelensky further pledges of support.

After his meeting with President Biden, Zelensky visits another staunch ally: neighboring Poland. Poland and Ukraine share a history and many Poles see Ukrainians as a ‘brother people’. Poland also feels the Russian threat. “All reasons why Poland supports Ukraine through thick and thin. Both militarily and, for example, by taking in many refugees,” explains Keller.

After the turn of the year, Zelensky flew from one country to another. “All destinations are chosen strategically, in order of importance. It’s a matter of who do you shake hands with first at a meeting?” says Keller. And so Zelensky suddenly walked through The Hague last week. Important, because of the International Criminal Court, where he hopes Putin will one day stand trial. But also to talk about the arrival of a special tribunal, and the sending of fighter jets.

This weekend Zelensky makes his tenth trip. Not all plans have been confirmed, but Germany and a visit to the Pope are mentioned, among others. “Important places for Ukraine,” says Soldatiuk. According to her, it is important to hold attention now, because of the expected Ukrainian counter-offensive. Zelensky hopes that Germany will come along with F-16s.

The pope sees himself as a negotiator and is mainly interested in peace between Russia and Ukraine. Soldatiuk estimates that Zelensky will explain to him that the risks for Ukraine are great. “Ukraine does not want a short-term solution such as a ceasefire or the freezing of front lines.”

Zelensky’s approach works, say Keller and Soldatiuk. Without his online visibility, the videos, the speeches worldwide and his foreign travels, he would have accomplished less. “He comes across as a sympathetic and honest man who makes contact easily. Qualities that make others happy to help him,” thinks Keller. In addition, he shows daily where the victims fall. “The message is, look, the war continues, so keep supporting us.”

But doesn’t that ‘campaign’ lean too much on one person? To a president in wartime, who is visibly getting more and more tired? “That’s probably what Putin is hoping for,” says Keller. “That the West will think: ‘Here we have Zelensky again’ and that support will decrease.”

Soldatiuk points out that that one leader has a very close team behind him, and a population that supports him. Occasionally he sends his wife or, for example, the prime minister to speak on behalf of Ukraine. “But Zelensky remains the face.”

Zelensky doesn’t have much choice, he has to continue, says Soldatiuk. “There is hope in Ukraine. Attention must not be lost. If Russia wins, our country and our freedom are at stake. Everyone has realized that: from the population to soldiers to the president.”