Trump, Zelensky spat

The fiery confrontation between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on February 28 has left the world stunned. What started out as an important meeting between the two leaders to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine soon descended into chaos, the like of which has never been seen before.  Trump addressed Zelensky in a language that would be regarded as highly undiplomatic to a visiting foreign leader, otherwise an American ally.  It started with the US Vice President J D Vance accusing Zelensky’s for not being “thankful” for the development and military aid America provided him since the Russian invasion. Trump bluntly told Zelensky that he was gambling with World War 3, and that without American support he cannot have the best ceasefire deal in negotiations with Russia. The US President warned Zelensky that he cannot win the war with Russia and that he lacked “cards.”

Following the bitter exchange, Zelensky left the White House without signing the earth minerals deal in exchange of which he sought security guarantees from the US. It is expected to impact the current US-Russia negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. Last week, Trump had said that the talks with Russia will proceed without the involvement of Zelensky. And in this meeting he almost sidelined Zelensky.

This has created a unique geopolitical moment where the US is breaking away from its NATO allies in Europe to support Russia.  European leaders have taken a strong exception to the treatment of Zelensky at the Oval office. They have lined up to support the Ukraine president after the blowup between him and Trump. But Trump has resolved to push ahead in his determined bid to end the Ukraine war, more or less, on Vladimir Putin’s terms. The larger goal seems to be to wean Russia away from China.

This raises serious questions about the existence of NATO and Europe’s place in the new American worldview. Trump's radical break from the traditional US engagement with the world has the potential to reshape the existing world order. But the chances of its being a stable system which is governed by rules are moot. This is where the rest of the world, especially the Global South led by India, should step up and ensure the world is governed by the established multilateral institutions rather than ambitions of the one pre-eminent power.