‘Real Diplomacy’ Goal: How Ukraine Plans to Leverage US Support

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky clearly outlined how Ukraine plans to leverage US support to achieve the ultimate goal of “real diplomacy” with Russia. In a phone call with Donald Trump on Saturday, Zelensky affirmed that military strength is the essential tool for political leverage.
Zelensky’s strategy hinges on the principle that the “readiness on the Russian side” for genuine talks must be “achieved through strength.” This means every piece of US support, from intelligence sharing to military hardware, is viewed as a means to create negotiating leverage.
The conversation focused on the most critical component of this leverage: strengthening Ukraine’s air defense. Zelensky’s briefing on the Russian attacks on the energy system served as the real-world proof that stronger defense is directly tied to national stability and, thus, negotiating power.
Zelensky’s hint at “concrete agreements” for defense aid signals that the US is actively engaging in this strategy of empowerment. The goal is to make the cost of continued conflict so high for Moscow that a diplomatic resolution becomes the more attractive option.
The call provided a clear, strategic framework for US aid, showing that Ukraine views military support not as an end in itself, but as the calculated and necessary path to a favorable diplomatic outcome.