Today’s meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump, alongside his Vice President J.D. Vance, was nothing short of painful to watch. It was a stark reminder of the challenges faced by genuine leaders when forced to navigate the egocentric theatrics of individuals who prioritize self-interest over global stability.
Zelensky, a leader grappling with the existential threat of war in his country, was subjected to inane and demeaning comments from Trump and Vance. At one point, Vance asked, “Have you said ‘thank you’ once this entire time?”—a remark that encapsulates the transactional, self-aggrandizing mindset of a couple of men who views international relations as a platform for personal validation rather than a responsibility to uphold global peace and security.
Vance turned into a dog with a bone. The following transcript comes from Forbes.com:
VANCE: You should be thanking the president for trying to bring an end to this conflict.
…
VANCE: Have you said ‘thank you’ once this entire time?
ZELENSKYY: A lot of times.
VANCE: No, in this—
ZELENSKYY: Even today. Even today—
VANCE: No, in this entire meeting.
…
ZELENSKYY: Mr. President, we are staying in our country, staying strong. From the very beginning of the war we have been alone and we are thankful. I said thanks in this cabinet, [INAUDIBLE], I said thanks—
…
VANCE: Just say thank you.
ZELENSKYY: I said a lot of times, thank you to American people—
…
TRUMP: But you see, I think it’s good for the American people to see what’s going on. I think it’s very important, that’s why I kept this going so long. You have to be thankful—
ZELENSKYY: I’m thankful—
…
TRUMP: I gave you the javelins to take out all those tanks. Obama gave you sheets. In fact, the statement is: Obama gave sheets and Trump gave javelins. You gotta be more thankful.
FFS.
This meeting underscored a troubling reality: under Trump’s vision, America is retreating into isolationism. His rhetoric and actions make it abundantly clear that unless foreign leaders kowtow to his demands and align their policies to benefit him personally, he will turn on them without hesitation. This approach not only undermines the principles of diplomacy but also jeopardizes the stability of the international order.
Trump’s lack of decorum and respect for human life is well-documented. From his dismissive attitude toward the sacrifices of others to his exploitation of ethnic and nationalistic sentiments to manipulate his base, he has consistently demonstrated that his priorities lie far from the well-being of people—whether they are American citizens or citizens of allied nations.
For the sake of any future world order, it is imperative that democratic leaders with intact moral compasses and backbones stop racing to placate a man who threatens to upend the global system. Instead of bending to the whims of a leader who thrives on chaos and self-interest, the international community should focus on building strong, sustainable relationships with sane, principled leaders of truly democratic nations.
The time has come to turn away from the United States under Trump’s influence and seek alliances with countries that value cooperation, mutual respect, and the preservation of democratic ideals. Continuing to engage with this administration and its enablers only legitimizes their destructive behavior.
To democratic world leaders: please, stop approaching this administration with hat in hand, looking for ways to appease the mad men. Stop normalizing the actions of a psychopath who has repeatedly shown disdain for the very foundations of democracy and global stability. The future of the world order depends on your courage to stand firm and prioritize principles over political expediency.
