Maybe Zelensky's disappointment isn't all theatrics? What did Boris Johnson promise him in return for ditching the armistice/peace agreement negotiated in Turkey in april 2022?
Several times since then, Zelensky has shown what I believe is genuine disappointment, every time the Western powers have given him, what he obviously regards as insufficient means to fight his war against Russia. A good actor would let this slide, play his role and accept what he got, but Zelensky has repeatedly shown himself to be visibly annoyed over the "help" he was given, to a point where he seemed to be not humbly asking for, but outright demanding more weapons. Which made, among others, Tucker Carlson chastise him: "Who do he think he is?"
I believe, that in exchange for not underwriting the armistice deal in april 2022, Boris Johnson promised Zelensky money, adequate weaponry and a gateway into NATO. Zelensky accordingly does not see himself as a beggar, but as a partner who made a deal in good faith (honor among thieves), but who is now being doublecrossed by the very partners he made this deal with. He held up his end of the deal, but NATO/USA/UK didn't deliver on their end.
All good actors internalise the role they are playing. When Zelensky is on the world stage, he IS what he pretends to be. So when his surrounding actors go outside the agreed-upon script and betray his character, he can't help himself but react as the freedom-loving benevolent state leader he is impersonating would react: With disgust. Which is why Biden had to dunk him with his "You are stuck with us, snap out of it!"
This, imho, explains why Zelensky the man has difficulties playing his role as Zelensky the president: He was given a script by Boris Johnson in april 2022, but the play has been rewritten several times since. And because Zelensky is a good actor, but not a good improviser, he sticks to the role he originally was hired to play.
Dear Niels Duss - I think there is a lot that speaks for your interpretation. A lot of NATO people have done their utmost to seduce him (as Poroshenko before) with NO considerations for the wishes of the people living in Ukraine who - btw. - never showed more than a tiny minority for NATO membership before after Russia invaded.
We know that the US/NATO countries just drop countries when they lose or have gotten what they want - Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and, not the least, Syria (except for ten illegal US bases. I can certainly understand if Zelensky feels cheated - on grounds you mention too. Wild prediction: He will slowly but surely see it fit to try to negotiate with Russia and find a modus vivendi - after all they are neighbours and have more in common than what divide them. Time will tell. Ukraine will never get into NATO - if it loses, why should it? And if it wins - whatever that means - why would it? Zelensky must see that writing on his wall and try to survive with a new plan...Thanks for your fine input here.
Maybe Zelensky's disappointment isn't all theatrics? What did Boris Johnson promise him in return for ditching the armistice/peace agreement negotiated in Turkey in april 2022?
Several times since then, Zelensky has shown what I believe is genuine disappointment, every time the Western powers have given him, what he obviously regards as insufficient means to fight his war against Russia. A good actor would let this slide, play his role and accept what he got, but Zelensky has repeatedly shown himself to be visibly annoyed over the "help" he was given, to a point where he seemed to be not humbly asking for, but outright demanding more weapons. Which made, among others, Tucker Carlson chastise him: "Who do he think he is?"
I believe, that in exchange for not underwriting the armistice deal in april 2022, Boris Johnson promised Zelensky money, adequate weaponry and a gateway into NATO. Zelensky accordingly does not see himself as a beggar, but as a partner who made a deal in good faith (honor among thieves), but who is now being doublecrossed by the very partners he made this deal with. He held up his end of the deal, but NATO/USA/UK didn't deliver on their end.
All good actors internalise the role they are playing. When Zelensky is on the world stage, he IS what he pretends to be. So when his surrounding actors go outside the agreed-upon script and betray his character, he can't help himself but react as the freedom-loving benevolent state leader he is impersonating would react: With disgust. Which is why Biden had to dunk him with his "You are stuck with us, snap out of it!"
This, imho, explains why Zelensky the man has difficulties playing his role as Zelensky the president: He was given a script by Boris Johnson in april 2022, but the play has been rewritten several times since. And because Zelensky is a good actor, but not a good improviser, he sticks to the role he originally was hired to play.
Five cents, please!
Dear Niels Duss - I think there is a lot that speaks for your interpretation. A lot of NATO people have done their utmost to seduce him (as Poroshenko before) with NO considerations for the wishes of the people living in Ukraine who - btw. - never showed more than a tiny minority for NATO membership before after Russia invaded.
We know that the US/NATO countries just drop countries when they lose or have gotten what they want - Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and, not the least, Syria (except for ten illegal US bases. I can certainly understand if Zelensky feels cheated - on grounds you mention too. Wild prediction: He will slowly but surely see it fit to try to negotiate with Russia and find a modus vivendi - after all they are neighbours and have more in common than what divide them. Time will tell. Ukraine will never get into NATO - if it loses, why should it? And if it wins - whatever that means - why would it? Zelensky must see that writing on his wall and try to survive with a new plan...Thanks for your fine input here.