When one world leader says something less than flattering about another world leader, the entire country may take up cudgels on behalf of their slighted leader. However, when Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky trolled a whole bunch of world leaders by way of an audacious video everyone was tickled pink.
IPS officer Rema Rajeshwari tweeted this video; a presentation made by the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a conference. The video is of a mock WhatsApp group with nations, world leaders and other important organisations as participants. For those who do not know, Petro Poroshenko is the former President of Ukraine. The video makes fun of the British Queen, the imperialistic tendencies of nations such as China, USA and Russia, the oligarchic nature Ukraine’s former leadership, North Korea’s repressive regime and even POTUS’s history of sexual harassment.
The video also touches on the serious issue of Russia’s expansionist actions in Crimea and elsewhere in a mocking manner; using humour to highlight how this threatens Ukraine as well. The video further mocks America’s acquisitive nature and China’s ability to replicate anything under the sun.
Since everyone was rather amazed that the head of a nation should have the temerity to do something as irreverent as this, many questioned the veracity of the video. It was clarified that this was not an official presentation, but a lighthearted video meant for evening entertainment presented by another agency.
Both the wit and the audacity of the video are to be appreciated. Commentators pointed out the fact that Zelensky is a former standup comic; clearly there are perks to having elected a comic to the nation's highest office.
Some pointed out that given our PM's propensity for foreign travel, hugging world leaders and taking selfies, India would have been a great addition to the video. However others pointed out that something like this is not possible in India – too many would have been offended. Fact.
The Russian military intervention in Ukraine has been ongoing since 2014 and the Ukrainians have been calling the world’s attention to Russian military aggression for a long time.
The video brings attention to a lot of very serious issues in a lighthearted manner which many see as a positive way to send out a message. However, many were convinced that POTUS likely didn’t get most of the jokes/satire.
This commentator also draws attention to the fact that an impeachment inquiry has now been initiated against Donald Trump. The inquiry is to look into allegations of POTUS’s attempt to extort the President of Ukraine into digging up incriminating material against a political opponent in exchange for much-needed military help to Ukraine.
The presentation isn’t just funny; it is extremely clever. Using humour makes it difficult for people to take offence while still managing to convey a vital message. There is real admiration for Volodimir Zelenski doing what few world leaders would even dream of doing. This is a humourist doing what every talented humourist should be doing: punching up and making people think even as they laugh.
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