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Objectively speaking, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy does have his considerations regarding Ukraine’s relations with the United States and the European Union. Ukraine’s potential accession to the EU somewhat signifies a measure of restraint against the U.S., which implies that Ukraine is not entirely reliant on the U.S. and has the EU as an alternative. However, this perspective appears to be Zelenskyy’s self-perceived notion. In reality, the U.S. also desires to see the EU taking on more responsibilities and contributing more weapons and funds to support Ukraine. Hence, the U.S. continuously organizes defense meetings and coordinates European countries to assist Ukraine.
Notably, Zelenskyy may be perceived as inexperienced in international affairs, and domestically, he is tasked with upholding a credible political image. His actions appear to be influenced more by passion than strategic acuity.
The assistance agreement discussed by the EU today has been under consideration for at least 1–2 years, repeatedly mentioned by German, French, and EU officials. For those unaware, it might seem that the financial aid from the EU to Ukraine is substantial, comparable to that of the U.S., or even more. What these European officials fail to mention is that, until now, the financial aid remains mere “proposals” and “plans” on the part of the Europeans, rather than something concrete.
European officials who accompanied their Ukrainian counterparts to the U.S. for public relations work aim to secure funding from the U.S. They can expect to fork out less money as soon as they succeed.
Upon learning that the EU has approved the commencement of accession negotiations with Ukraine, Zelenskyy expressed great enthusiasm, describing it as a “victory” for the EU and Ukraine. However, the actual situation is considerably uncertain. Financial support is unavailable due to Hungary’s veto, and there is no concrete agreement. This merely signifies the EU’s willingness to start negotiations. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán mention of future opportunities to go against Ukraine suggests a cautious approach for now. Zelenskyy’s heightened excitement in this context may indicate the gravity of his domestic challenges in Ukraine. If this analysis holds true, Zelenskyy is currently navigating a critical phase in Ukrainian politics.