President Zelensky: Strategic Begging, by Ann Smith & Donovan Reynolds


 At Kingstonmouth.com, we do not believe that war can settle international disputes in modern international relations. In fact, like Ernest Hemingway, we believe that "All war, no matter how necessary nor how justified, is a crime."

Nonetheless, amidst a nonsensical war started by President Putin against an under-resourced Ukraine, we find the statecraft of Ukrainian President Vlodymyr Zelensky impressive amid all the carnage. He has single-handedly "begged" his way into a decent strategic position. His shuttle diplomacy has garnered a whopping 65 billion dollars (about $200 per person in the US) worth of resources for the war.

It's hard to imagine someone begging over 75 billion dollars worth of war resources in such a short period of time. The Guinness Book of World Records will have to seriously add a new category to take into account the begging of President Zelensky.

Earlier this month, Zelensky traveled to the G7 summit in Japan and successfully negotiated for world leaders to provide military weapons. He also flew to the UK to beg our Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, for hundreds of long-range attack drones. Where did Zelensky get the gall, the charisma, and the skills for negotiating such expensive war presents.

Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelensky was born on the 25th of January 1978. He is a former comedian and actor who has served as the sixth and current president of Ukraine since 2019. Those who make light of the fact that he is a comedian undersell his intelligence and ability to influence others. Before becoming the President of Ukraine, between 1997-2003, he worked as an actor, performer, scriptwriter, and producer of the stand-up comedy contest team "KVARTAL 95." Additionally, from 2011-2012, he was Chief Executive of PJSC "Inter TV Station" in his country. This CV is hardly impressive in political and diplomatic terms.

Zelensky was elected president of Ukraine with 73 percent of the vote. Within days, the President-elect faced his first foreign policy challenge when his neighbor, President Putin of Russia, announced his decision to offer Russian passports to the Ukrainian citizens in separatist-controlled areas of war-torn eastern Ukraine. Subsequently, the Russia-Ukraine War began in February with the covert invasion of the Ukrainian autonomous republic of Crimea by disguised Russian troops. Initially, President Putin felt that he could overrun Ukraine, but it has been a long-drawn-out war that has ratcheted up thousands of casualties on both sides with no diplomatic end in sight. It is estimated that this war has cost Russia $500 million to $1 billion daily. Meanwhile, according to the latest data from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German think tank, NATO members committed at least 75.2 billion euros ($80.5bn) in financial support and military aid between January 24 and November 20, 2022.

Not only did UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak agree to Zelensky's request for military drones, but they greeted each other with a warm hug. They spent time together at Sunak's country retreat of Chequers in the Hawtrey Room, where Sir Winston Churchill gave radio addresses during the Second World War. Sunak professed his admiration for the Ukrainian leader, saying, "the same way today, your leadership, your country's bravery and fortitude are an inspiration to us all." He assured Zelensky that the UK will also help train Ukrainian pilots to use Western fighter jets.

Last December, U.S. President Joe Biden provided Patriot missiles to assist Ukraine's continued battle against Russia. Zelensky's light-hearted response was, "I'll be back for more." Biden told him, "You'll never stand alone." Consider these negotiations: Zelensky arrives in casual dress, usually a sweatshirt and casual pants. This alone separates him from the self-important Presidents and dignitaries wearing a shirt, tie, and formal suit. Despite this, he is warmly greeted, and the aforementioned Presidents are keen to pose for photo opportunities with our man Zelensky.

The skills of political negotiation and statecraft are highly respected, almost revered as some higher-level esoteric conversation only achieved after years of academic study. It is a "mixed motive interaction" (first described by Schelling, 1960) requiring competitiveness and cooperation, which can very easily slide into competitiveness when two powerful individuals begin with some level of dispute. A key element of negotiation is that the individuals trust each other; Zelensky starts at this point, it seems. Maybe his modest attire and quiet determination to save Ukrainian lives mean that Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak, and other Presidential leaders are hypnotized into trusting that Zelensky's begging is honest. They are mesmerized into agreement: "Yes, of course, please have one hundred Storm Shadow missiles... I'm sure we can add a few F-16 Fighter Falcons to that for you, Mr. Zelensky."

We at Kingston mouth profess admiration for Volodymyr Zelensky's idiosyncratic Presidential and statecraft skills; his begging ensures he receives what he professes to need in the Ukrainian war against Russia. Yet, we have no admiration for modern-day warfare that causes devastation to so many. Our hope is that the Ukrainian people return to peace and that Zelensky can show the world his impressive presidential attributes and improve his beloved country.

Donovan Reynolds is CEO of kingstonmouth.com He is a trained Diplomat, Human Rights Activist, and Communication Consultant. This article is edited by Ann Smith, a British Educator and Social Activist. Kingstommouth.com is a charitable organization that has been in existence for over nine years. We have an interest in Politics, Human Rights, and International Development Issues. Viewers wishing to comment on this article may do so at the provided on this blog. Alternatively, they can contact us at kingstonmouth63@gmail.com or on our Twitter or Facebook Page.

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