Shemaine Bushnell Kyriakides
As an American living in Cyprus, I’ve watched my country’s leadership style evolve under Donald Trump, but nothing quite prepared me for the recent Oval Office encounter between Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Zelensky. It was cringeworthy. What should have been a serious diplomatic conversation turned into an awkward power struggle, with Trump and Vance accusing Zelensky of not showing enough gratitude for the U.S. military aid sent to help Ukraine fight Russia. As I watched, I couldn't help but think, What does he want him to do? Get on his knees, hands clasped, and say thank you?!
If Trump had treated Putin this way (which, let’s be honest, he wouldn’t dare), Putin would have stormed out, and we'd probably be bracing for World War III.
Zelensky, clearly uncomfortable, was forced to defend himself in front of the cameras. He corrected Trump on the year Russia invaded Ukraine—Trump mistakenly said 2015 when it was actually 2014—and then asked Vance, rather pointedly, if he had ever set foot in Ukraine. It was a bold move, but his body language told a different story. He was practically perched on the edge of his chair, almost like he was ready to storm out. Can you blame him? Watching this unfold, it was hard not to wonder: What's next, a timeout for Ukraine in the corner?
What really made this exchange so uncomfortable, though, was the glaring imbalance of power. If Trump had treated Putin this way (which, let’s be honest, he wouldn’t dare), Putin would have stormed out, and we'd probably be bracing for World War III. But since Ukraine is no match for Russia or the U.S., it’s an easy target for this kind of bullying. It was like watching the playground bully throw his weight around, knowing the other kid has no choice but to take it. And that’s exactly what Zelensky did, though his body language was screaming that he wasn’t sure what to do next. Should he cry? Surrender? Politely ask for a tissue?
This whole debacle made me think about my recent interview with John Koenig, the former U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus. He mentioned that, months ago, he had been telling his European friends to stop relying on America. Koenig saw this shift coming long before Trump even stepped into office. According to him, the U.S. is no longer the dependable ally it once was. If that wasn’t clear before, it sure is now. It’s no longer about cooperation and mutual respect—it’s about flexing muscle and putting allies in uncomfortable positions. Who needs diplomacy when you’ve got a good old-fashioned public scolding, right?
Watching this unfold also reminded me of how much the global dynamic has changed under Trump’s leadership. America, once considered the world’s stabilizing force, is now as unpredictable as a toddler with a loaded squirt gun. Trump’s leadership style has become less about meaningful dialogue and more about asserting dominance. His treatment of Zelensky was a textbook example of this. No attempt to listen, no attempt to build relationships—just a good ol’ fashioned display of power to remind Zelensky (and anyone watching) who’s really in charge. Spoiler: It’s not Zelensky.
For Europe, this moment should be a wake-up call. If the U.S. is no longer a reliable ally, maybe it’s time to start thinking about your own defense strategy—especially if you don’t want to end up in a headlock at the next big global meeting. The days of depending on America for leadership and support are fading faster than you can say “trade deficit.” Europe needs to take control of its future, starting with strengthening its defenses and forging stronger regional partnerships. Who would’ve thought that the U.S. would be the one to show Europe how not to lead?
As an American, I can’t help but feel disheartened watching this unfold. Trump’s approach to foreign relations isn’t just embarrassing—it’s damaging to the U.S. on the global stage. And if this exchange with Zelensky is any indication, we’re no longer a leader in diplomacy. We’ve become a country that uses power to intimidate, rather than build lasting relationships. What a time to be alive.
