Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is proposing a modern “domino theory,” not of falling states, but of spreading peace. In a Saturday phone call with US President Donald Trump, he argued that the successful resolution of the Gaza conflict could trigger a chain reaction, leading to the end of the “Russian war” in Ukraine.
This innovative diplomatic framing was the centerpiece of their conversation. After celebrating Trump’s “outstanding achievement” in the Middle East, Zelensky presented his theory. “If a war can be stopped in one region, then surely other wars can be stopped as well,” he posited, suggesting that diplomatic momentum is a powerful and transferable force.
To get the first “domino” to fall in Ukraine, Zelensky outlined the necessary conditions. He briefed Trump on Russia’s continued aggression, particularly against the energy grid, arguing that the initial force must be one of strength and resilience. This is where his request for enhanced air defense comes into play—it is the push needed to start the chain reaction.
According to Zelensky, this show of strength is what will create a “readiness on the Russian side to engage in real diplomacy.” In his theory, a well-defended Ukraine creates a new strategic reality for Moscow, making a negotiated peace a more attractive option and thus allowing the next domino to fall.
This “domino theory of peace” is a bold and optimistic reframing of global conflicts. It is a strategic narrative designed to inspire action and convince allies that their investment in one region’s stability can pay dividends across the globe, starting with the resolution of the war in Ukraine.