At the recent Ukraine peace summit, a striking image circulated: world leaders clustered around President Trump, listening closely as Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky spoke.

What was unthinkable just years ago is now reality—Trump has moved from political outcast to central convener. Analysts now refer to him as the leader of leaders. If this were medieval Europe, he might even be crowned the King of Kings.

Then vs. Now: Trump’s Reversal

2016–2020:

• Clashed with NATO allies.
• Threatened withdrawal from alliances.
• Portrayed as an isolationist and unpredictable by outlets like the BBC.

2025:

• Hosts a unifying summit in Alaska (related story).
• European leaders echo U.S. strategy.
• Even skeptics like Macron and Starmer praise coordination.

This shift marks one of the most dramatic image reversals in modern diplomacy.

Why This Moment Matters

• Optics become policy: Leaders crowding around Trump reinforces U.S. primacy.
• New alignment: Allies echoed three priorities—stop the killing, secure Ukraine, and return abducted children.
• Fear and focus: Trump commands attention, a style some now prefer to Biden’s quieter diplomacy.

Leaders’ Key Quotes

• Zelensky: “A very good conversation” despite “sensitive points.”
• Macron: Warned against appeasing Moscow (FT).
• Merz: Called for a ceasefire “by the next meeting.”
• Meloni: “Something has changed,” praising U.S. efforts.
• Von der Leyen: Focused on returning abducted children.

Together, these messages signal reluctant but real alignment.

A Medieval Analogy—The King of Kings

In medieval Europe, powerful rulers were sometimes acknowledged as rex regum, or “King of Kings.” Charlemagne, for example, held sway over lesser monarchs (Britannica).

In Alaska, Trump’s summit role carried echoes of such moments—where allies (willingly or not) sought the favour of the dominant figure. Not a coronation, but unmistakably a court audience.

Trump’s Tariff Triumph: Reinforcing Leadership Through Trade

Alongside diplomacy, Trump solidified his position through strategic trade wins. In 2025, the U.S. negotiated 0% tariffs on American exports while imposing 15% tariffs on imports from nations with a trade deficit, including the European Union.

The landmark deal guarantees European purchases of U.S. energy and goods, averts trade wars, and positions the United States as a dominant economic power. This echoes his “King of Kings” influence in a modern economic arena.

This “Reciprocal Trade and Tariffs” strategy reinforces Trump as a decisive economic strategist, complementing his leadership in diplomacy. (White House Fact Sheet) (Reuters Coverage)

What Comes Next

The Alaska summit didn’t end the war. But it may mark a pivot: a shared humanitarian agenda, a push for a ceasefire, and the re-emergence of Trump as a central broker of power.

The coming months will test whether this “leader of leaders” image translates into real outcomes—or remains just optics.

Frequently Asked Questions