Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presented the new Gaza peace deal as a “proof of concept” for ending Europe’s most significant conflict. In his Saturday call with Donald Trump, Zelensky argued that the success of one peace effort demonstrates the possibility of resolving the “Russian war.”
Zelensky’s congratulations on the Gaza deal, calling it an “outstanding achievement,” were a strategic move to validate the idea of large-scale conflict resolution. His immediate follow-up—”If a war can be stopped… then surely other wars can be stopped as well“—underscored his use of the deal as a powerful diplomatic precedent.
This “proof of concept” narrative was paired with a firm military component. Zelensky briefed Trump on the vulnerability of Kyiv’s energy infrastructure under Russian attack, arguing that the success of future diplomacy is dependent on Ukraine’s ability to defend itself now.
The discussion of strengthening Ukraine’s air defense and pursuing “concrete agreements” became the practical application of this principle. The goal is to build the defensive power that will compel Russia to engage in the “real diplomacy” that the “proof of concept” suggests is possible.
By framing the issue in these terms, Zelensky successfully transformed a US diplomatic victory into a strategic resource for his own country’s fight for peace.