There has probably never been such a public trimming in the history of diplomacy. The joint presser between the President of the United States and Ukraine President Zelensky has set the internet on fire, with condemnation of both parties, and speculation about the outcome. Zelensky was not unnaturally on edge, given that he had to explain a ‘deal' to his people. Trump was on the offensive, as was his Vice-President who felt, again, not unnaturally, that Zelensky had shown no gratitude to a President who, in fact, is the only world leader trying to end a terrible war. True, he also wants a payback in minerals, but the US and its European partners have always fought wars for resources. It's just that they don't say it upfront. Only, Trump did.

The meeting had Zelensky in his trademark camouflages, a sartorial statement rather than a necessity, since he's far from fighting on the front. A question from the audience on why he wouldn't wear a suit at a White House meeting was unbecoming, to say the least, but it does demonstrate exasperation with a comedian who brought his once-prosperous country to devastation and the world dangerously close to World War III. That's what Trump said, and he's right.

As Secretary of State Marco Rubio clearly stated, the Ukrainians had insisted on a Washington visit, with the deal not yet on the table. Far from being left out, there had been at least 10 days of negotiations and repeated conversations. Zelensky, however, chose to take on the US president and his team in a diatribe that was unnecessary as it was counter-productive. Clearly, and unsurprisingly, he was playing to the gallery. Wartime leaders rarely survive, and that includes Winston Churchill. For Zelensky, it could be far worse than just being booted out of office, given a rising far-Right presence and allegations of corruption back home.

The sympathy factor for Ukraine may be losing currency. True, the central argument remains........

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