Zelensky Pivots Diplomacy to Turkey and Gulf States

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is shifting Ukraine's diplomatic strategy to pursue peace negotiations with Russia through Türkiye, bypassing the United States. This pivot follows reports that U.S. officials have deprioritized the conflict in eastern Ukraine to focus on Iran, while the U.S. National Security Strategy no longer labels Russia a security threat.

To strengthen Ukraine's strategic position, Zelenskyy has signed drone technology and expertise deals with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. These efforts complement defense cooperation agreements signed in April with Norway and Germany. Additionally, the European Union released a €90bn loan for Kyiv following a leadership change in Hungary.

While President Donald Trump has expressed confidence that a quick solution could be reached following talks with Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian officials remain skeptical. This skepticism stems from dwindling military aid and a perceived lack of U.S. engagement. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to target Russian energy infrastructure with long-range drones to inflict billions in losses.