‘In Russia, they like to tell this joke. An American, a Russian, and a Ukrainian walk into a bar. The bartender asks the American what he wants, right? The American asks for a whiskey, and the bartender pours it for him. The Russian asks for vodka, you know, Russians drink vodka. The bartender pours him vodka. That’s it. The bartender doesn’t ask the Ukrainian what he wants. That’s what they call ‘forgetting to ask the khokhol.’ That’s what we’re going to do with Zelensky. We’re not going to ask him. We’re going to make this deal without him.’
Analysis: In an interview with Newsmax, President Donald Trump used a Russian joke containing the ethnic slur ‘khokhol’ to describe his strategy of excluding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from peace negotiations. The term ‘khokhol’ is a derogatory Russian word for Ukrainians, historically used in a demeaning context. The joke, which Trump explicitly attributes to Russia, frames Ukraine as an irrelevant party in a conflict on its own territory. This is grotesque not only for the use of a slur but for the president’s adoption of a narrative that aligns with the Kremlin’s narrative, which seeks to delegitimize Ukraine’s sovereignty and agency. Trump’s statement comes amid reports that the White House ordered restrictions on Ukraine’s Starshield satellite service, which hampered its military operations. The president has denied personal involvement, but reports from Reuters and The Telegraph suggest otherwise. Trump’s use of a Russian joke to describe his policy towards a wartime ally is a significant diplomatic breach and a sign of his administration’s shifting stance. The joke is a clear indication that the Trump administration is willing to sideline Ukraine in favor of a deal with Russia, a position that has alarmed European allies. The use of the slur ‘khokhol’ is particularly egregious, as it dehumanizes the Ukrainian people and their leadership. This is a stark example of the president’s rhetoric being detached from the reality of the war, where Ukraine is the victim of Russian aggression and is fighting for its survival. Trump’s comments also contradict his own administration’s stated goal of a negotiated peace, as they suggest a willingness to impose a deal without the consent of the Ukrainian government.
Source: Slavyangrad, Oct 16, 2026.
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