Can Momentum from Gaza Truly Translate to Ukraine? Zelensky Bets It Can

President Volodymyr Zelensky is making a high-stakes political bet that the diplomatic momentum from the Gaza peace deal is not just a fleeting headline, but a transferable force that can be harnessed to end the war in Ukraine. His entire recent strategy is built on this conviction.
He is the primary champion of this idea, repeatedly insisting that the “momentum for advancing peace” must not be lost. This suggests he sees a genuine, albeit narrow, window of opportunity where the global appetite for peacemaking is at a peak.
His bet is specifically on the United States. He believes the “success” of President Donald Trump in the Middle East has created both the credibility and the political will in Washington to tackle another major conflict. “The right actions by the United States can also help,” is his confident assertion.
To hedge his bet, he is actively rallying other players. The coordination with Finnish President Alex Stubb is an attempt to ensure that Europe is ready to support and amplify the American-led push he envisions, creating a broader coalition for peace.
The risks are enormous. If the momentum fades or the US chooses not to act, this window will close. But with Russian bombs falling on his cities, Zelensky is betting everything on the hope that the world’s desire to replicate one peace is stronger than its fatigue with another war.