Zelenskyy gained the upper hand during his Washington meeting with Trump
Presidents of Ukraine and the United States Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump at the White House, July 28, 2026 (Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskiy / Telegram)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived for his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington with an entirely new status, Bild reported on July 29.
"Volodymyr Zelenskyy had every reason to consider himself a winner," said Herbert Bauernebel, Bild's U.S. correspondent. He noted a noticeable warming in relations between the two presidents and the progress Ukraine has made since the Oval Office clash in February 2025.
"Now he [Zelenskyy] came here not as a petitioner, but as a strategic partner. Recent successes against Vladimir Putin's army and long-range strikes deep inside Russia have impressed Trump," the journalist said.
Scott Erb, a political science professor at the University of Maine, said Ukraine is also taking on a new role in global politics. Amid growing domestic political pressure, Donald Trump is seeking to end the war in the Middle East. "And here, Zelenskyy also has a trump card," Erb said.
Erb explained that Zelenskyy is offering Trump "a chance for diplomatic success in the war in Ukraine — a welcome alternative to the Iranian military quagmire."
On July 28, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Washington and met with U.S. President Donald Trump. Zelenskyy said the White House meeting focused on licenses to produce interceptor missiles for Patriot systems and other initiatives that could strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities.
The meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump lasted about an hour. Trump later said the talks with the Ukrainian president went "very well."
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