What in the Name of Diplomacy Did We Just See?
Thoughts on the Trump-Zelensky Fallout
“This is good television,” remarks Trump after a heated exchange between him and Zelensky.
It was indeed good and entertaining television, to say the least ( if we ignore the millions dead in Ukraine)
It all started when the vice president JD Vance suggested Zelensky to agree to a ceasefire, to which president Zelensky retorted, how a ceasefire in the past was broken and not respected by Putin – after this the whole conversation descended into chaos, never in my experience of following foreign diplomacy I’ve seen things go so rough.
It was definitely the kind of conversation that we would have expected to see in big boss and not in the White House. So, below are the few highlights from the conversation where diplomacy was ignored and where I chuckled unintentionally.
1. "Everyone has problems in war, even you. Right now, you don’t feel it because you’re surrounded by an ocean."
Zelensky said this in response to Vance saying that Ukraine is facing challenges in war.
Okay I was not sure what this was meant to convey, I think it was a slip from Zelensky, clearly everyone knows that America is surrounded by ocean and would be almost impossible to invade, it’s almost as if Zelensky remembered his geography lessons mid-conversation and had to compensate for it in someway.
If Zelensky was trying to make the point that war was problematic for everyone, he definitely did a bad job conveying it by using America as an example, also, considering his language barrier, this point certainly didn’t have a positive impact.
As we saw further, Trump easily shut him down after this.
2. "Don’t tell us how to feel."
This came from Trump after Zelensky’s insinuating statement about America facing invasion, to be honest, I’ve never seen a foreign leader being shut down like this, Zelensky was literally bullied after this, it was as if the whole room ganged up on Zelensky.
3. "You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards."
This came from Trump, where he is basically highlighting how inferior and helpless Zelensky is in front of Putin.
Unfortunately, he is right, Ukraine has relied heavily on the USA to arm itself and fight Russians, if it weren’t for their support and funding, they might not have lasted this long
However, I think diplomatically, it was very insulting for the leader of a wartime country, the leader is supposed to inspire strength and determination in the soldiers on the frontline, and their morale is heavily dependent on their leader.
To see Zelensky being dismissed like this might be discouraging for some.
4. "How many times have you been to Ukraine?"
Okay, this one I’ll hand over to Zelensky, he asked this question to Vance leaving him totally stumped for a moment. He said this in response to Vance highlighting the manpower issue that Ukraine is facing.
Vance retorted by saying “You bring people on propaganda tours”.
Vance is right though, Ukraine is indeed facing serious manpower issues, there are videos circulating online where men were forcefully abducted for conscription.
Russia too is using foreign mercenaries and soldiers, they were using their private military group “Wagner” for their assault in Bakhmut and they have also been reportedly using North Korean soldiers to fight in the war.
5. "Have you ever said thanks once?"
This was said to Zelensky condescendingly, again making sure to deliver home the point that he is completely dependent on the US for his existence.
This is not something that should have been said in front of the press especially if you’re talking to someone who was once a close ally, but the intent was clear, to make Zelensky concede.
6. "Why don’t you wear a suit?"
A reporter asked this, questioning why Zelensky wasn’t dressed according to White House protocol.
Personally, I felt that this question was insulting, Zelensky tried to answer it with his broken English but the nervousness was clearly visible on his face.
So this was just my highlight of the interview, shoulders folded, voice raised, people on edge - you can watch it yourself here.
I don’t have much sympathy for politicians, but honestly, I could not help but feel bad for Zelensky.
What Does This Mean for Ukraine?
Well, clearly there is a diplomatic rift between Ukraine and USA, and the huge chunk of funding that Zelensky was receiving under the Biden administration will obviously be reduced. Ukraine can expect more diplomatic coercion to concede to a peace treaty with Russia.
It is also not clear if and how much the other European allies would be willing to back up Ukraine if the United States steps away.
The stakes are high for Ukraine, with millions dead and thousands injured, the war slugs on, and every decision made will prove to be critical for the people in the war.
We can only hope and pray for the people impacted by this.
One thing is clear, this moment would go down in history books for sure, it was like watching a sit-com, but there is one person who is laughing the loudest.
This guy…
I have no problem with such "good television," as Trump put it. My only request?
Please don’t start World War III.
I’m not even married yet. 😅