Ukraine’s former president Petro Poroshenko says he knows how to win over President Donald Trump to sustain aid against Russia’s escalating war, a bold claim as Kyiv faces a dire battlefield and U.S. support wanes. With Trump pushing a ceasefire that could favor Moscow, Poroshenko’s plan sparks hope but skepticism, as Ukrainians and allies weigh whether personal diplomacy can shift a transactional White House.
Poroshenko, president from 2014 to 2019, told a Kyiv conference he can leverage past meetings with Trump to secure weapons and intelligence, cut off in March 2025. “Trump respects strength—I’ll show him Ukraine’s worth,” he said, citing his 2017 White House talks. With Russia’s 194-drone assault last week and 30% of Ukraine’s territory occupied, per UN data, his pitch comes as Kyiv’s 900,000 troops face encirclement in Kursk. Trump’s negotiations with Putin, excluding Ukraine, and a 20% U.S. troop cut in Europe fuel doubts about his commitment.
Poroshenko’s strategy hinges on appealing to Trump’s deal-making instincts, offering U.S. access to Ukraine’s lithium reserves. But Trump’s team, led by Vice President JD Vance, prioritizes ending the war quickly, even at Ukraine’s expense. Europe’s $150 billion aid pledge struggles to replace U.S. support, down $20 billion since 2024. Analyst Olena Kovalenko said, “Poroshenko’s banking on charisma, but Trump’s not sentimental.” A 2025 poll shows 70% of Ukrainians want U.S. aid restored, but 60% doubt Poroshenko’s influence.
Kyiv’s Maria Voloshyn, a nurse, hopes he’s right: “We need those missiles—Russia’s relentless.” Lviv farmer Oleh Koval doubts it: “Trump listens to Putin, not us.” Small EU arms suppliers, like a Polish firm, see orders rise but face delays from tariff costs. Kovalenko warned, “Poroshenko’s overplaying his hand—Trump’s focused on China.” Public sentiment splits, with 50% of Ukrainians trusting local leaders over foreign promises.
Success could unlock $10 billion in U.S. aid, saving 100,000 lives, per think tank estimates. Failure risks a ceasefire ceding 20% of Ukraine’s land, displacing 2 million more. Small businesses in Kyiv face collapse without stable power, hit by Russian drones. Europe’s rearmament could deter Russia long-term but needs five years to scale, per Czech officials.
Poroshenko plans a U.S. visit in August, but Trump’s meeting with Putin looms. EU leaders, skeptical of a quick fix, push for self-reliance. “One man can’t change Trump’s mind,” Kovalenko said. For now, Ukraine clings to hope that Poroshenko’s gambit can keep the lifeline open in a war growing grimmer.
