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Some of the commentary on the Trump-Zelensky call appears to be missing the forest for trees. From my perspective of covering diplomacy for nine years, here’s the hole in the donut….1/5
Leaders of countries are very busy people and they generally have defined objectives when planning for the call. Zelensky’s goal is clear: he wants and needs a meeting with Trump to signify continued US support (potentially in doubt because of Trump’s praise for Putin). 2/5
But what’s Trump’s goal? What foreign-policy objectives of the United States is he trying to advance? Normally there is a checklist of talking points a president goes through. But there is nothing, except for his asks concerning an investigation of the Bidens and DNC server. 3/5
Trump also never gives Zelensky want he wants – an invitation with a date. Trump leaves him hanging. One can argue whether or not there is a quid pro quo or whether Trump explicitly stated what he wanted. But he didn’t have to be direct about it. 4/5
From the perspective of the Ukrainian president, the only thing Trump asked of him was working with Rudy/Barr to look into these allegations. That was the message he delivered. That’s what makes this call unusual – the president of the United States did not ask for anything else.
