President Volodymyr Zelensky is performing a difficult balancing act, simultaneously managing contentious border disputes with two of his country’s neighbors while trying to finalize a game-changing arms deal with his most important ally, the United States. His recent statements highlight the immense pressure he is under from multiple directions.
On one hand, Zelensky is on the diplomatic offensive with the US. After securing an agreement in principle with President Donald Trump for long-range weapons, he is dispatching a team to Washington to seal the deal. This is his top priority, as these weapons are seen as key to winning the war.
On the other hand, he is being forced to play defense on his western borders. He has accused Russia of flying drones into Poland, a direct threat to NATO, and has entered into a public spat with Hungary over an alleged drone incursion. These incidents require careful diplomatic management and risk creating divisions among the very partners Ukraine relies on for support.
This balancing act is a stark illustration of Ukraine’s precarious position. It must project strength and confidence to its main ally, the US, to secure the weapons it needs. At the same time, it must address security threats and diplomatic fires on its other borders, which could project an image of instability.
The key to managing this act is capability. The arrival of new Patriot air defense systems gives Ukraine better tools to monitor and control its airspace, potentially de-escalating future border incidents with concrete data. This defensive strength provides a more stable platform from which Zelensky can conduct his crucial offensive arms negotiations.