Trump’s Oval Office Smackdown: 7 Lessons Zelenskyy Needs to Learn Before Meeting President Trump Again

Zelenskyy presents himself as a leader fighting for democracy, but his grip on power depends on prolonging the war.

By Wendy Kinney

President Trump’s recent Oval Office showdown with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a masterclass in realpolitik—a stark contrast to the scripted diplomacy of the past. Trump dominated the exchange, offering a direct and strategic reality check that Zelenskyy seemed unprepared for. But Zelenskyy’s biggest blunders didn’t begin …