As somebody working in the diplomatic profession, what's your take on the White House kerfuffle yesterday between Trump and Selensky?
Dear What's Your Take Anon,
I have never seen anything of the sort, during my twenty-two year career (and counting) and I honestly hope to never see something remotely resembling it, as long as I shall breathe on Earth. Same goes for the tons of verbatim transcripts I have always read and analyzed with pleasure, and still do.
There is a reason why negotiations take place behind closed doors. When people are out and talking to the press, stiff upper lips and more or less relaxed smiles are de rigueur. To some, this is hypocrisy. To me, this means at least a modicum of agreement has been reached, for continuing to see each other and talk to each other is still some sort of agreement. There is reassuring elegance in this traditional choreography that is/should be second nature to any professional.
Yesterday, I have watched live on CNN something very closely resembling a Tumblr flame war comment thread. You draw your own conclusions, Anon.
This is Her Excellency, Mrs. Oksana Markarova, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Washington DC. And this is her reaction to what happened in that room, as I am sure you know, by now:
I saw myself in that picture, Anon.