A former comedian President of Ukraine Vs a convicted President of the United States
A showdown at White House on Feb 28, 2025 - What a farce !

Bishwajit Okram *

This is the story of two leaders with different mindsets, meeting in the Oval Office and having a televised shouting match in a hostile press conference. It had to be halted abruptly before the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a chance to sign a ceasefire agreement, and a further agreement that would have given more US military support in exchange for access to Ukraine's natural resources.

Trump reminded Zelensky that he was the one who gave Javelin anti-tank weapons to Kyiv in 2019, which certainly enabled the country to fight back against Russia, when the full-scale Russian attack started. It is true that without them Ukraine would have been nowhere now. The squabble ended unexpectantly when a very irate Trump ordered Zelensky to leave. Trump also wrote online: "Come back when you are ready for peace".

While these two leaders have opposite views and interests, the purpose of this article is to show how Mr Zelensky stood up to the most powerful man in the world, which will be heartwarming for his countrymen.

In this article, I am not delving into their political views but only sharing this historic moment when the comedian-turned President Zelensky presented himself to the world's most powerful President Donald Trump in this unusual, televised meeting in the White House, as if it was deliberately set up.

This incidence for me, harked back to September 21, 1949, when Maharaja Bodhchandra signed the agreement of integration of Manipur to the newly independent India, when he should have resisted it, as Zelensky has done. What is more, in the present crisis in Manipur, where there is a civil war between the Kukis and the Meiteis as the Kukis want a Separate Administration, our leaders should resolve to defend Manipur's integrity tooth and nail.

Though I am not a politician, I greatly admire Mr Zelensky, as to how he managed to gather support of the world, to get help in defending his country from the powerful Russian aggression. Even though he was an ordinary comedian entertainer, he was elected to be the President of his country in 2019 following the ousting of the pro Russian President Viktor Yanukovych.

Though Zelensky obtained a degree in law, he never practised it. Instead, he formed a theatrical company named Kartal 95, which produced series of shows. In one of these that was called , 'Servant of the people', he played a fictional Ukrainian President. He became very popular.

Zelensky grew up as a native Russian speaker, but he also acquired fluency in both Ukrainian and English. In due course, the employees of Kartal 95, created a political party in 2018. Zelensky announced his candidacy for the President of Ukraine. He won the election with a thumping majority. Despite his stage image, he became a symbol of Ukrainian defiance against the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

He has since earned the respect from the democratic countries all over the world. And many have written Volodymyr Zelensky has a humble origin, Donald Trump is a businessman multibillionaire. He has Trump Tower in Manhattan in New York, as his and his family's primary residence. Trump Tower is a 68-storey skyscraper. It is a mixed-use condominium. His residential elevator button skips 10 floors to make the building bigger. He became the first US President convicted of a felony in 2024 for falsifying business records.

In short, he is a criminally convicted President though he was not sentenced due to the immunity he enjoyed because of his Presidentship. The online source profiles him as a politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th President of the United States. Donald trump established a real estate business in 1971, called the Trump Organisation.

It dealt with enterprises like building skyscrapers, hotels, casinos and golf courses, but for some reasons he had lots of business bankruptcies in the 1990s and 2000s. And perhaps, he used the skills to outmanoeuvre his failures, during his Presidency in later life in 2016, and currently against Zelensky. Following his failed business and bankruptcies, he sidelined his entrepreneurship by hosting a reality television show, The Apprentice, between 2004 to 2015.

Then, he decided to enter the race for the American Presidency in 2016, which he won. No doubt, Trump remains as one of those leaders who is plagued by various Court cases with business fraud, and infamous charges of sexual misconduct by dozens of women dating back to the 1970s, and he has been found liable in Court for sexual abuse.

When he first became President in 2017, he imposed travel restrictions on citizens from six major Muslim countries, built Mexico border wall, withdrew from international climate agreement, began trade war with China.

He was the first President of USA who went to meet the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un without reaching an agreement on denuclearization. He was one of those leaders who didn't believe in the COVID-19 pandemic. Scholars and historians, according to a source from the Independents, ranked Mr Trump as one of the worst Presidents in American history.

Why Zelensky was in Washington and what has happened between the two ? This entire script is based on the publicly available BBC video recording. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2erwgwy8vgo). Ukrainian President Zelensky was invited to Washington on February 28th to sign an agreement regarding the sharing of his country's mineral resources with the United States, in order that he secure continued support from the USA in his war with Putin of Russia.

The agreement was about sharing rare earth resources in Ukraine, while Ukraine receives a guarantee of sovereignty and security from the US. Their press conference began with exchanging pleasantries and laughter, praising one another. Earlier, while receiving him, Mr Trump commented about his dress. The intention of belittling him began from the doorstep itself. Zelensky fought for his dignity, and the independence of his country.

Based on the transcripts of their press conversations, one can identify each leaders' demeanours. Designed as a low punch to humiliate Mr Zelensky, Brian Glenn a leading member of MAGA (Make America Great Again) journalist, ridiculed Zelensky's dress sense. "Why don't you wear a suit ? You are at the highest level in this country's office, and you refuse to wear a suit. [Zelenkyy had been advised to wear a suit, but he refused, it seems]. Do you own a suit ? Zelenskyy's response - " I will wear customs after the war is over", was something that will ink forever in the history of the world.

Mr Trump also made sarcastic remarks about Mr Zelnsky's appearance: "Oh, you are all dressed up." "He is all dressed up today." The apparent discourtesy irritated Mr Trump ahead of the fateful meeting which crashed in no time. In the 'Real American Voice' channel, full of MAGA faithful, Mr Glenn said the Ukanian President's choice of outfit for the Oval office "reflects his inner disrespect for not only our country, the president and the US citizens".

Mr Zelensky normally wears olive green (military colour) jumpers, emblazoned with the Ukrainian trident when he conducts State visits. For meeting Trump, he, at least toned down to dark jumpers. The whole charade reminds me of Mahatma Gandhi. When he went to London to attend the Round Table Conference in 1931, he was invited to tea by King George V at Buckingham Palace. He went attired in his usual dress of dhoti and loin cloth. He sat with the King and Queen.

At some point, when a reporter asked him if he was dressed enough to meet the king for such a meeting, he replied, "Do not worry about my clothes. The King has enough clothes on for both of us." Another journalist threw a question to Mr Trump about the security guarantee Mr Zelensky was expecting from the agreement. Mr Trump stated that he did not want to discuss the matter in detail but expressed concerns about the mineral transactions deal.

He indicated that security was a minor issue that countries like the UK and France are managing effectively. However, he emphasized that the United States is committed to excavating and obtaining rare earth elements in Ukraine as a part of the 'Deal'.

Mr Zelensky intervened and asserted, " ...about cease fire and security, we can't just speak and speak about cease fire ..it will never work…before his Presidency since 2014, Putin has broken cease fire 25 times, cease fire with his own signature…..therefore we will never just accept a cease fire …it will not work without security guarantee… Europeans are ready for contingents , they need European backstops ……USA a main and strongest ally ..no other way …without security….Putin will continue attacking …he thinks Ukraine is not a Nation…."

This time Mr Trump became more assertive and said in affirmative "I am a business person". Zelensky continued with his plea, "More than Ukrainian nobody ever wants to stop this war".

"USA , like the strongest partner of the Ukraine will be part of the negotiation …Europe…Putin wants to take over Baltic States …..they were part of USSR……Nato soldiers will fight…" Trump was still stuck with the word 'deal' and continued when asked when he would be visiting Ukraine, Udesha "….I don't want to talk about Udesha…first the deal and making deal (business……) there is nothing there now…all things have been destroyed…"

Zelensky immediately corrected, "……no there are many cities still standing tall…people are going to school. Offices etc, Mr President you will need to visit Ukraine, schools are underground, online …we live, and we fight…. may be Putin is sharing this information that that there is nothing there… misinformation" Mr. Trump confirmed, "I spoke to him (Mr Putin) a few days ago. "It was the Biden administration attempting to malign Mr Putin and him; it was purely a hoax."

Another journalist asked Mr Trump, " many minerals are available at the east of Ukraine near the front line ….will you ever go there and ask Putin to withdraw the forces from there,." Mr Trump lost for words replied, "we will have a look at it we have a lot of area, it's a very big area, we will see… the agreement will protect the region…I don't think Russia will continue invasion."

It looks like it was a question Mr Zelensky had in his mind and as he appreciated the journalist for that question. One journalist bluntly asked Mr Trump that he aligned too much with Mr Putin and what was the message (Mr Trump wants to pass it on)? Trump said, " …well if I didn't align myself with both of them…there will be no deal…I am not aligning with anybody but USA people…aligning with the world."

The whole conference was peaceful and was merely a question and answer between journalists and the two Presidents up until this time.

The issue started when JD Vance, the VP, added, "….the problem is to be solved through diplomacy… .not with thumping on your chest. Mr Trump is trying to do this way," and Mr Zelensky queried to Mr Vance, "………Putin occupied big parts of Ukraine in the East and Crimea in 2014……2014 nobody stopped him…many died… we signed …had lots of conversation with him…. 2019 I signed a deal with him and Macron, ceasefire agreement…all of them told they will never come…. even signed gas contract….. after that be broke the ceasefire… rules… exchange of prisoners… what kind of diplomacy….what kind of diplomacy JD you mean about, what do you mean ?"

At this point JD Vance changed his tone, "you have been disrespectful about it,…litigating in front of American people. In front of TV cameras………"? Mr Zelensky continued his query to JD Vance, "have you ever been to Ukraine…." JD Vance said, "no….but I know very well…watching everything…. you forced people …conscripts to the front line…." Mr Trump interjected, "you are gambling about WW3 ….and …disrespectful to this country."

Bewildered by the attacks from Mr JD Vance and Mr Trump, Zelensky amused asked "what you are talking about" and continued, Zelensky to VP , " you think if you speak loudly……" Trump defended JD Vance and nibbed Zelensky even when Zelensky requested for a response to VP, "your country is in big trouble …you will not win this war…" Mr Trump became very angry when My Zelensky made an indirect reference that the United States' submission to Putin might one day lead to regret, since USA then have to confront Russia's "influence."

"You have [a] nice ocean and don't feel [it] now, but you will feel it in the future," Zelensky said. To this Mr Trump became annoyed and warned Mr Zelensky, " You don't have to dictate us ……." Mr Zelensky confusingly uttered, "from the very beginning of the war, we have been alone …. we are thankful…thankful in this cabinet…." . "You invited me to speak…(but shouted down)…." not allowing to speak."

JD Vance attacked Mr Zelensky again, "……you are wrong. We know you are wrong ……." Now Mr Trump started accusing his predecessors using many unparliamen-tary languages, "Obama gave shits…I gave Javelins. Mr Biden was an idiot…" At last, when a journalist asked what if Russia breaks ceasefire, what if Russia does not honour peace talk, Mr Trump lost his control and yelled, "…what if…. what if……what if a bomb dropped now right in the middle……they didn't respect Biden, but they respect me…(hence any cease fire will be respected without even security guarantee)"

The conference had potential in the beginning but towards the end it boiled down to Trump and Vance casting Zelensky as ungrateful to the country's president. The meeting ended quite acrimoniously when Trump asked Mr Zelensky to leave the White House, cancelling their joint press release, scheduled later that day.

The global reaction to this conference's fallout will serve as a lesson for everyone. There is ongoing debate regarding the reliability of the United States as a leader of the free world. So, a televised shouting match between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, in the Oval Office, came to an abrupt end without signing a ceasefire agreement.

The summit of the two leaders descended into a furious dressing down of the Ukrainian President by Mr Trump and his Vice-president J D Vance. Such admonishing of a President of Ukraine, who is locked in existential military struggle against a vastly superior power of Russia's Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, in front of a watching world, is simply bullying and uncalled for.

They should be ashamed of their outburst. To top it all, Mr Trump accused Mr Zelensky of 'gambling with World War III and being 'disrespectful' towards America. He then, ordered him and his delegates to leave the White House.

He also wrote online: "Come back when you are ready for peace." All that Mr Trump got out the shambles is to give Mr Putin a propaganda victory that Zelensky is the one who started the war with Russia, which is factually and morally very wrong. As a global citizen, what I understood was Zelensky being a none native English speaker, probably his presentation ( in English and the dress code) was not so palatable in front of Mr Trump and his team , but at the same time, I am sure Mr Trump will not like to show to the world that Mr Putin is his boss.