In recent weeks, US President Donald Trump has begun to view Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy more favorably, although he had previously claimed in private conversations that Ukraine was losing the war.
It was reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the course of internal discussions within the Trump administration.
According to the publication, the shift in tone became apparent after several international summits where Zelenskyy spoke personally with Trump. The US president, the WSJ writes, expressed admiration for Ukraine’s drone industry and its ability to carry out military operations deep into russian territory.
Why Trump has begun to view Zelenskyy more favorably?
Sources cited by the publication claim that Trump likes to associate himself with people he considers winners, and recently, Zelenskyy has increasingly given him exactly that impression.
The US president’s attitude may also have been influenced by a White House meeting with Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk. According to eyewitnesses, Usyk told Trump that Ukrainians are “fighters and winners,” presented him with a signed boxing glove, and spoke about their shared admiration for Muhammad Ali.
The WSJ reports that Usyk also recounted how his family was caught in russian shelling in Kyiv.
How Usyk’s meeting with Trump affected the US president?
During the conversation, Trump asked the boxer what distinguishes Ukrainians from russians.
According to the publication’s sources, Usyk pointed to his head and heart and replied that the differences lie precisely there.
This moment, according to the WSJ’s sources, made a strong impression on the US president.
What Usyk told Trump in response to his question about Ukrainians and russians?
The publication also reports that Trump received a message from far-right blogger Laura Loomer, who had previously spread anti-Ukrainian rhetoric.
After a trip to Kyiv and an interview with Zelenskyy, she stated that she had changed her position because, in her words, she had been influenced by russian propaganda. Loomer called Zelenskyy a “wartime leader” and an “essential ally.”
According to the WSJ, she called Trump several times following her visit to Ukraine.
As a reminder, on Tuesday, July 28, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House.
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