Zelensky’s attitude and behavior display creditable chutzpah, but they also raise the fair question whether he is spent as a war-time leader. He has led Ukraine through terrible times, made frightful decisions, endured disastrous dithering and delays from his wobbly partners. Three years he’s held himself and Ukraine together.

The question hovering over Washington was whether the confrontation was a spontaneous outburst or a planned verbal smack down.