Why Trump is going to the Middle East and what does Ukraine have to do with it: political scientist’s analysis

“President Trump, I think, is desperately looking for something to present to his public, to his voters as a major achievement of his first 100 days. Many promises were made: end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours, achieve the release of all hostages, expand the Abraham Accords, punish Iran, solve the Palestinian issue, and so on. As is often the case, all these rosy promises collided with harsh reality. It seems to me that Trump, rather, not so much him, but his team, his voters, are gradually realizing that solving all this will be much more difficult than it seemed before. In the Middle East, apparently, Trump feels that it’s easier to make progress than on the Russian-Ukrainian war front,” — said the speaker.

U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing for an important trip to the Middle East, which will cover several key destinations: Israel, Saudi Arabia, and other Arab countries. This trip holds not only political but also economic significance for the U.S. and the region’s countries. But what lies behind this visit, and what role does Ukraine play in it?

As political scientist Mikhail Pellivert noted on May 5, 2025, Trump is trying to demonstrate his achievements to his voters for the first 100 days of his presidency.

Trump’s Visit: Political Goals and Expectations

The question that is repeatedly discussed in international media: why is Trump going to the Middle East right now? According to Mikhail Pellivert, one of the main motivations for this trip is the president’s desire to demonstrate the success of his leadership after promises to end the war in Ukraine and resolve several other global problems.

“President Trump, I think, is desperately looking for something to present to his public, to his voters as a major achievement of his first 100 days”.

It is noted that the realization of promises, such as ending the war in Ukraine or expanding the Abraham Accords, has faced reality, where many promises remain unfulfilled.

The Middle East: Key Directions of the Visit

Trump is heading to Israel, where, according to Pellivert, the main task will be the development of the peace process between Israel and Saudi Arabia. It is expected that Trump will try to initiate negotiations and make progress on the Palestinian issue, which is one of the fundamental problems in the Middle East.

The protection of Arab countries will be one of the main focuses of the visit. Trump and his team seek to show that the U.S. is ready to support regional security initiatives, particularly countering the threat from Iran.

Main goals of Trump:

• Initiating a peace process between Israel and Saudi Arabia
• Releasing several hostages held by Hamas
• Organizing a post-war plan for the Gaza Strip
• Attracting investments in economic projects in the Middle East

Impact on Ukraine

Regarding Ukraine, the political scientist noted that in the context of “complicated diplomatic relations” between Russia and Ukraine, Trump is seeking ways to stabilize other regions where he has been able to make progress. However, for Ukraine, the situation remains difficult, as the war continues, and real changes are only possible if international obligations are met.

“Trump is trying to find a way out in the Middle East because the situation on the Russian-Ukrainian war front is complicated”.

While Ukraine continues to be an important element of U.S. foreign policy, its issues are not overlooked in any of Trump’s international trips.

American Interests in Arab Countries

The U.S. strategy in the Middle East has direct economic interests. Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, are actively working to attract investments and ensure security in the region. As Pellivert noted, these countries want to ensure stability and guarantees of protection from external threats, particularly from Iran.

Key issues for the U.S.:

• Protection of the security of Arab countries
• Stimulating economic cooperation
• Attracting investments in projects that will strengthen U.S. positions in the region

Conclusion

Trump’s visit to the Middle East will be significant both for the U.S. and for Arab countries, where the president will try to demonstrate the effectiveness of his policy. At the same time, Ukraine, although not the main focus of this trip, remains an important element of the U.S. global strategy, and its security issues may be addressed during the visit.

NAnews (Israel – Ukraine) will closely monitor the situation, especially the possible consequences for Ukraine and its relations with the U.S. in the context of Trump’s visit. The situation in Ukraine remains an important part of the international agenda, and we will continue to inform our readers about key events and prospects.