Ukraine is pulling out all the stops to get on Donald Trump’s good side as the US president-elect prepares to take office. With the country’s war against Russia at a critical juncture, Ukrainian leaders are pitching everything from flattery to economic deals in hopes of securing continued American support. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been especially vocal in praising Trump, calling him a “strong” leader capable of ending the conflict with Russia. In a recent interview, Zelensky described Trump as “intellectually and physically” prepared to tackle the crisis, a nod to Trump’s self-styled image of strength. This isn’t the first time Zelensky has tried to win Trump over—back in 2019, he labeled the then-president a “great teacher” during a controversial phone call. Zelensky isn’t alone in this charm offensive. A Ukrainian lawmaker even nominated Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize in November, highlighting the lengths Kyiv is willing to go to stay in his favor. Experts say this strategy is born out of necessity. Ukraine’s military is struggling to hold back Russian advances, and without US support, the situation could worsen dramatically. “Unfortunately, Zelensky doesn’t have the luxury of being hostile toward Trump,” said one policy analyst. “He has to try to get him on Ukraine’s side to secure the best possible outcome.” Trump’s stance on the war has been a mix of pragmatism and unpredictability. He’s repeatedly stressed the need for negotiations, even suggesting a plan that could favor Russia. This has put Ukraine in a tough spot, as it may have to make battlefield concessions to keep Trump engaged. Beyond flattery, Ukraine is also offering economic incentives. Zelensky’s “Victory Plan” includes a proposed deal on critical minerals, a resource Ukraine has in abundance. This could appeal to Trump’s business-focused mindset and strengthen ties between the two nations. But there are no guarantees. Trump’s history of unpredictability means Kyiv’s efforts might not pay off. Still, for Ukraine, the stakes are too high not to try. As one expert put it, “Flattery is a small price to pay for a better outcome than capitulating to Putin.”