{"id":2411631,"date":"2025-03-09T10:11:02","date_gmt":"2025-03-09T14:11:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-maltese-falcon-and-zelenskyys-white-house-blow-up\/"},"modified":"2025-03-09T10:12:12","modified_gmt":"2025-03-09T14:12:12","slug":"the-maltese-falcon-and-zelenskyys-white-house-blow-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-maltese-falcon-and-zelenskyys-white-house-blow-up\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;The Maltese Falcon&#8217; and Zelenskyy&#8217;s White House Blow Up"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fthe-maltese-falcon-and-zelenskyys-white-house-blow-up%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2411631&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-york-times-issues-multiple-corrections-for-article-falsely-claiming-900000-u-s-children-have-been-hospitalized-for-covid-19-during-pandemic\/\" title=\"New York Times Issues Multiple Corrections For Article Falsely Claiming 900,000 U.S. Children Have Been Hospitalized For COVID-19 During Pandemic\">article discusses<\/a> the challenges\u200d faced by \u2062Ukrainian \u200bPresident Volodymyr Zelenskyy in \u2063the context of negotiations and international relations, notably during his\u2063 visit to\u200d the \u200cWhite House. It\u200d contrasts\u2063 his perceived confidence and the support he has received from European leaders with\u2062 the reality of his position following\u2064 a contentious meeting with U.S. officials, \u200bincluding \u2063former President Trump. The author argues that Zelenskyy&#8217;s understanding of negotiation fundamentals is lacking,especially considering Ukraine&#8217;s dire circumstances in the ongoing war\u2063 with Russia,which has resulted in critically important\u2062 casualties and economic disparity. Despite Zelenskyy&#8217;s efforts to secure a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">rare earth\u200c mineral deal<\/a> to benefit Ukraine and the U.S., he left the meeting without achieving his goals and facing criticism \u200cfor his handling \u2063of the situation. The article questions the effectiveness and openness of U.S.\u200c support\u2062 for Ukraine and suggests that Zelenskyy may need to adapt his approach to\u2064 become \u200da more effective leader in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-tucker-carlson-announces-massive-interview-with-putin-in-russia\/\" title=\"Tucker Carlson to Conduct Major Interview with Putin in Russia\">current\u200c geopolitical landscape<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_0)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>In the film &ldquo;The Maltese Falcon,&rdquo; Sydney Greenstreet&rsquo;s villainous character Kaspar Gutman says to Humphrey Bogart&rsquo;s anti-hero, &ldquo;Here&rsquo;s to plain speaking and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-administration-increases-vaccine-supply-after-bi-partisan-letter-from-governors\/\" title=\"Biden Administration Increases Vaccine Supply After Bi-Partisan Letter From Governors\">clear understanding<\/a>.&rdquo; This is the foundation for all meaningful and productive discussions.<\/p>\n<p>Volodymyr Zelenskyy may possess some admirable qualities, but clear understanding isn&rsquo;t one of them.<\/p>\n<p>In negotiations, it is always important to know the cards you hold, what leverage you have, and that of those with whom you are dealing. It is essential in these types of situations to have a clear-cut comprehension of the issues.<\/p>\n<p>Volodymyr Zelenskyy came to the White House as full of himself as anyone might be after three years of being lauded by the leaders of Europe and the previous Cadaver in Chief as the last hope for democracy.<\/p>\n<p>Without a doubt, Zelenskyy believes the hype.<\/p>\n<p> <script type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\tif ( getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"stnvideo\").remove() \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<p>After a brief and contentious press conference in the Oval Office, he left abruptly, empty-handed, and smaller than when he entered. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/big-zelenskyy-mess-meeting-trump-just-look-us-warplanes-oval-office-disaster\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Comments made<\/a> by President Trump and Vice-President Vance were a monumental slap to his veneer of virtuousness. In short, he came to town riding high on his horse and left dragging his a**.<\/p>\n<p>In &ldquo;The Maltese Falcon,&rdquo; Bogart hits Peter Lorre in the face saying, &ldquo;When you&rsquo;re slapped, you&rsquo;ll take it and like it.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Zelenskyy better take a cue from Lorre and get used to being slapped.<\/p>\n<p>Russia violently invaded Ukraine. That violation of Ukraine&rsquo;s sovereignty resulted in a now three<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/congressmen-across-the-board-demand-biden-respond-to-murderous-terrorist-attack-keep-americans-safe\/\" title=\"Congressmen Across The Board Demand Biden Respond To \u2018Murderous\u2019 Terrorist Attack, Keep Americans Safe\">-year-long war<\/a> that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/karoline-leavitt-swats-fake-news-mainstream-media-report-trumps-ukraine-decision\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ukraine<\/a> cannot win. The impossibility of a Ukrainian victory and Russia&rsquo;s guilt are both true. If only one were true a solution would be simple.<\/p>\n<p>Reality isn&rsquo;t predicated on simplicity and neither are lasting peace agreements.<\/p>\n<p>According to the World Bank Group, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/trump-threatens-russia-triple-punishment-peace-deal-not-reached-soon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Russia<\/a> has an annual GDP of more than $2 trillion (US), while Ukraine&rsquo;s GDP is around $178 billion (US). Ukraine has a population of 44 million, as compared to Russia&rsquo;s 145 million.<\/p>\n<p>Three times the population and ten times the economic vitality is not a formula that favors the brave Ukrainians.<\/p>\n<p>Zelenskyy came to Washington, DC, to sign a rare earth mineral deal that would benefit both Ukraine and the US.<\/p>\n<p>The Trump administration&rsquo;s expertise created a pact to ensure our country&rsquo;s access to these necessary elements, to repay us for our investment in the war, and provide Ukraine with security by placing US interests squarely in Russia&rsquo;s path.<\/p>\n<p>He left unceremoniously without achieving anything except diminishing his status as democracy&rsquo;s savior. At one point, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/big-zelenskyy-mess-meeting-trump-just-look-us-warplanes-oval-office-disaster\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Zelenskyy<\/a> said, &ldquo;First of all, during the war, everybody has problems, even you. But you have a nice ocean and don&rsquo;t feel [the problems] now. But you will feel it in the future.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>After more than $300 billion in US assistance, almost triple that of Europe, this would-be martyr challenges the conscience of America?<\/p>\n<p>How can the US&rsquo;s conscience be clear when we&rsquo;re footing the bill for bullets and bombs in a war in which our interests at best seem rhetorical? Zelenskyy&rsquo;s behavior reminds us we have a lot of questions about his government and our assistance that need answering.<\/p>\n<p>Where did all that money go, how was it spent? Why was our reflexive action to Russia&rsquo;s aggression to arm Ukrainians rather than pursue peace? How did the Ukrainian president go from a co-conspirator in a sham Trump impeachment to a world hero? Did the Biden family&rsquo;s business dealings in that country influence our commitment of money and materials?<\/p>\n<p>Zelenskyy tells us if we sacrifice money and munitions, we will not have to shed American blood. Blood is being spilled, nonetheless.<\/p>\n<p>Whether American or Ukrainian hands lob the shells they are landing on the heads of Russian soldiers who can make no distinction between where they&rsquo;re made and who sent them.<\/p>\n<p>Ukraine&rsquo;s dependence on Western money to conduct its war is without question or a foreseeable end.<\/p>\n<p>Zelenskyy&rsquo;s inability to understand the fundamentals of negotiation as it relates to peace is bad enough, but when he comes to the home of his country&rsquo;s biggest benefactor and pokes us in the eye, he is a fool.<\/p>\n<p>Being slapped un-happy may be the best thing to ever happen to Zelensky and by extension the world.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><i><b>The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either d or endorsed by the owners of this website. If you are interested in contributing an Op-Ed to The Western Journal, you can learn about our submission guidelines and process <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/submitop-ed\/\">here<\/a>.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! ( opts[inputs[i]]=document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display='block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src=firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id']=firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting=jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display='block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> \t     \t\t\t\t\t\t     \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script>console.log(\"ad slot (BA1)\")<\/script> \t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<style> \t\t\t \t\t\t.insticator-unit.type-commenting{margin: 0 10px 25px 10px}@media screen and (max-width:1060px){#div-insticator-ad-cmt-1, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-2, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-3, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-4{margin: 0 auto 25px auto !important;}}#div-insticator-ad-cmt-1, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-2, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-3, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-4{height: 280px !important; width: 336px !important} \t\t<\/style>\n<div class=\"insticator-unit type-commenting\">\n<div class=\"insticator-ads\"> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t<script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\t\t\tif ( ! getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-1\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-2\"); \t\t\t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-1\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-2\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t<\/script> \t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"insticator-ads additional\"> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t<script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\t\t\tif ( ! getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-3\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-4\"); \t\t\t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-3\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-4\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t<\/script> \t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the movie &#8220;The Maltese Falcon,&#8221; Sydney Greenstreet&#8217;s character, Kaspar Gutman, tells Humphrey Bogart&#8217;s anti-hero, &#8220;Here\u2019s to plain speaking and clear understanding,&#8221; highlighting the importance of straightforward communication in meaningful discussions. While Volodymyr Zelenskyy has commendable traits, clarity is not one of them. In negotiations, it&#8217;s crucial to know your own strengths and weaknesses as well as those of your counterparts. Zelenskyy arrived at the White House with a sense of self-importance after being celebrated by European leaders and the previous U.S. president as a beacon for democracy. He likely believes this narrative about himself.<\/p>\n<p>After a brief and tense press conference in the Oval Office, he left without any tangible results, feeling diminished compared to when he arrived. Remarks from President Trump and Vice-President Vance were significant blows to his perceived moral authority. Essentially, he came in confidently but left feeling defeated.<\/p>\n<p>Zelenskyy needs to adapt to harsh realities; Russia&#8217;s invasion of Ukraine has led to an ongoing war that Ukraine cannot win under current circumstances. Both Russia\u2019s guilt for its actions and Ukraine\u2019s inability to achieve victory are undeniable truths that complicate finding solutions.<\/p>\n<p>With Russia boasting an annual GDP exceeding $2 trillion compared to Ukraine&#8217;s $178 billion\u2014and with populations of 145 million versus 44 million\u2014the odds are heavily stacked against Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>Zelenskyy&#8217;s visit aimed at securing a deal on rare earth minerals beneficial for both nations but ended without any accomplishments that would elevate his status as a champion for democracy. He remarked on America&#8217;s problems during wartime while implying future consequences due to current comforts\u2014this after receiving over $300 billion in U.S assistance alone.<\/p>\n<p>Questions arise regarding how this aid was utilized: Where did all that funding go? Why did we choose military support over peace negotiations? How did Zelenskyy transition from being involved in Trump&#8217;s impeachment saga to becoming viewed as a global hero? Did Biden family business dealings influence our financial commitments?<\/p>\n<p>Despite claims that American sacrifices could prevent bloodshed, conflict continues regardless of who fires weapons\u2014Ukrainian or American-made shells alike impact Russian soldiers indiscriminately.<\/p>\n<p>Ukraine remains reliant on Western financial support for its war efforts indefinitely; Zelenskyy&#8217;s lack of negotiation skills is troubling enough\u2014but openly challenging his primary benefactor is unwise. Perhaps experiencing setbacks will ultimately benefit both him and the world at large<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2411632,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Michael-Featured-Image-2025-03-09T052744.077.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[34313,51819,5894,32127,10724],"class_list":["post-2411631","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-film-analysis","tag-maltese-falcon","tag-politics","tag-white-house","tag-zelenskyy"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Michael-Featured-Image-2025-03-09T052744.077.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2411631","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2411631"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2411631\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2411635,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2411631\/revisions\/2411635"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2411632"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2411631"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2411631"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2411631"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}