Roasting Volodymyr Zelensky in New York could be compared to an accidental firecracker explosion at a New Year’s Eve party – a lot of noise, not much sense. The theatrical performance by the President of Ukraine reminded us that even in the era of the global political stage, everyone has their moments of weakness. Zelensky is undoubtedly a talented actor, but not everyone knows that in reality, he is a leader of a country under pressure, which none of us would want to experience.
During World War II, Churchill drank whisky and smoked cigars, and Eisenhower read westerns. And Zelensky? Well, he seems to choose rhetorical attacks on his allies as a way to vent his emotions. It’s as if dinners with friends have turned into verbal skirmishes on the international stage.
If this was meant to be a roast, it seems that the president didn’t quite grasp the essence of the performance. Zelensky’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly in September this year resembled more an attempt to summon rain during a drought. And just like with weak jokes, if you have to explain what was supposed to be funny, it’s clear that something went wrong.
The reaction to Zelensky’s words, especially the suggestion that Poland is aiding Russia, was quite unequivocal – regardless of political sympathies, many Poles were downright outraged. It seems that Kyiv now expects unconditional support from Warsaw, regardless of the costs.
Our relations with Ukraine sometimes resemble the story of the Gauls fighting against Rome, but in the opposite direction. Although I don’t know anyone who would root for the empire in a clash with two brave Gauls, some people across the Vistula still seem to insist that Ukraine should be kept on a tight leash. Is this a reasonable approach?
By the way, few people in Poland probably realize that the most supporters of this approach can be found in the United States. Since February 24, 2022, when Russia attacked Ukraine, sympathies have been clear: for us, Ukraine is like a village of Gauls, and any news of Russia’s failures arouses positive emotions in us, whether in Poland or on the other side of the Atlantic.
Kyiv seems fully aware of this support and uses it as a diplomatic tool in a rather original way. Zelensky’s recent statements could be seen as an attempt to throw sympathy straight in the face of an ally, while also demanding additional assistance.
Poland’s and Ukraine’s interests don’t always align. Kyiv has not signed an agreement obliging it to act in line with Warsaw’s expectations. Even if such an obligation existed, Ukraine would expect it more from the United States, which surpasses other countries in providing military aid to Ukraine.
Some may consider this heresy, but the fact is that not all of Poland’s and Ukraine’s interests align perfectly. We are dealing with cultural and economic differences, as well as differing perspectives on Ukraine’s future membership. Polish-Ukrainian relations in the future may sometimes resemble a blank verse – full of white spaces and questions about what comes next. However, if Kyiv expects a partnership with Warsaw, it’s worth taking the principle of reciprocity seriously.
The roast of Zelensky in New York may not have been great, but it reminded us that Ukraine has its aspirations and dreams that may differ from those of the Poles. It is worth lowering expectations on both sides and trying to build relationships based on mutual understanding. Because in the end, in politics, as in life, it’s not only what unites us that matters, but also how we deal with our differences.