Why Adopting a Viking Strategy Could Spell Trouble for Trump: Advisors Urge Ukraine to Rethink Its Approach

Debating a Viking-Inspired Strategy for Ukraine

According to ХВИЛЯ: Political psychologist Vsevolod Zelenin and political scientist Yuriy Romanenko have discussed how Ukraine might bolster its geopolitical influence by embracing a Viking-style strategy. According to Zelenin, Kyiv’s proactive stance is unsettling for American elites, particularly provoking frustration from Donald Trump. Romanenko argues that the optimal survival model for Ukraine is a Viking strategy built on four core pillars:

• religion,
• social organization,
• technological superiority,
• and a logistics-driven approach to expansion.

Zelenin highlighted that Ukraine’s activity in occupying territories liberated by the United States irritates Trump. He noted that

“The New York Times reported that Trump is annoyed by Ukraine actively moving into areas the U.S. frees but can no longer control.”

In this context, he suggested that Ukraine might become a 'new Holland.'

Analyzing the Viking Strategy

Romanenko provided a detailed breakdown of the Viking strategy, which he believes could serve Ukraine well. He pointed out that the Vikings had four key advantages:

• a religion that instilled a mindset of heroism in battle,
• a social structure based on military democracy,
• technological edge from their ships and weapons,
• and a logistical focus in expansion, enabling them to select the best territories for conquest.

“I would call this the Viking strategy. It’s close to us because we rose on it,”

Romanenko said.

Zelenin also mentioned that climate shifts and famine drove the Normans to seek new resources, pushing them to find new survival opportunities. Romanenko cited the marriage of Anna Yaroslavna to the French king as an example of geopolitical calculation that linked Kyivan Rus with major European powers.

“Yaroslav, Anna’s father, was a relative of all these kings and chieftains,”

he emphasized.

Wrapping up the discussion, Romanenko proposed that Ukraine create its own lobbying tools within the EU and NATO-specifically by purchasing a small country in the Balkans. This would allow Ukraine to influence the policies of key international organizations from within. He questioned:

“What’s stopping us from buying our own small country and, from inside the organizational structure of these institutions that matter to us, influencing their policies?”

This reflects a push for a more assertive foreign policy and deeper integration into European structures.

The discussion of a Viking strategy as a model for Ukraine highlights the search for new approaches to strengthen the country’s geopolitical influence on the world stage. Amid modern challenges like Russian aggression and shifting global politics, Ukraine must adapt how it engages with international partners. The idea of creating lobbying instruments underscores the importance of Ukraine actively shaping political decisions at the European level.

As Ukraine contemplates a Viking-inspired approach to enhance its geopolitical presence, it is also adjusting its tactical focus. This shift includes targeting key Russian refineries and decision-making centers, a strategy aimed at disrupting enemy operations and strengthening Ukraine's position. For a deeper understanding of these evolving tactics and their implications, see how Ukraine is recalibrating its military efforts to strike at the heart of Russian power.