The Power of Punctuality: How Lateness Shapes Diplomacy and Political Relationships
1. The Unspoken Rules of Diplomatic Timing
Politicians and world leaders often operate under unspoken rules, where every gesture, word, and even the timing of their arrivals can send powerful messages. In the high-stakes world of diplomacy, lateness can spark irritation, signal dominance, or even strain relationships. The phrase "Better late than never" might work for everyday life, but in politics, tardiness can escalate tensions to unprecedented levels. Recently, the Oval Office witnessed a dramatic showdown between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where the tension was palpable and the stakes couldn’t have been higher. Trump later remarked, "This is going to be great television," as the world watched the heated exchange unfold. The meeting, which was supposed to result in a minerals agreement, ended without a signature, leaving many to wonder if a simple delay might have tipped the scales from the very beginning. While Zelenskyy wasn’t explicitly late by design, his 20-minute delay raised eyebrows, and the ripple effects were undeniable.
2. The Trump-Zelenskyy Showdown: A Case Study in Lateness and Diplomacy
The Oval Office meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy had been scheduled for 11 a.m., but Zelenskyy arrived around 11:20 a.m., according to White House records. Earlier that day, he had met with a bipartisan group of senators, including Lindsey Graham, Chris Coons, and Amy Klobuchar. Senator Klobuchar even posted about the meeting on X, saying, "Really good bipartisan meeting before President Zelenskyy heads to the White House. We stand with Ukraine," accompanied by a selfie with the Ukrainian leader. Before heading to the White House, Zelenskyy returned to the Hay-Adams Hotel, where he was staying, to prepare for the meeting. The 20-minute delay might have seemed insignificant, but it could have added fuel to the already tense atmosphere. Trump, known for his attention to detail and his penchant for making an impression, reportedly made a comment upon Zelenskyy’s arrival, saying, "He’s all dressed up today," possibly noting Zelenskyy’s decision not to wear a suit. According to Axios, Trump’s advisors had suggested Zelenskyy’s team avoid military-style attire during the visit, but the Ukrainian leader chose to stick with his familiar look. The meeting ended without the expected agreement, and while the deal may have been salvaged at the last minute, the optics of the encounter left a lasting impression.
3. Lateness as a Diplomatic Tool: Power, Psychology, and Strategy
Lateness in politics isn’t just about poor time management; it’s often a calculated move that can send messages, assert dominance, or even buy time. Some leaders have mastered the art of keeping others waiting as a strategic tactic. In his book "The 48 Laws of Power," Robert Greene argues that making others wait is a way to signal power and control. Russian President Vladimir Putin is a prime example of a leader who has used lateness to project dominance and provoke irritation. He has famously kept world leaders waiting for hours, including former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who waited over four hours for a meeting in 2014, and Pope Francis, who was kept waiting for an hour in 2015. Even former U.S. President Barack Obama wasn’t spared, waiting 40 minutes for a meeting with Putin in 2012. While this tactic can be effective in asserting authority, it can also backfire. In 2022, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan kept Putin waiting as a form of payback, signaling that the Russian leader’s habitual tardiness wouldn’t go unchallenged.
4. The Brussels Time Zone: EU Summits and the Art of Delay
When it comes to the European Union, lateness isn’t always about power plays; it’s often an inevitable part of the process. EU summits are notorious for their marathon discussions, which often drag late into the night or even into the early hours of the morning. Topics like the EU budget, top job appointments, or the possibility of joint debt issuance have been known to keep leaders locked in meeting rooms until dawn. Logistical challenges, such as Brussels’ infamous traffic, can also cause delays. However, some speculate that delays are sometimes used strategically to assert dominance, frustrate opponents, or simply buy time. European Council President António Costa has tried to limit EU summits to day-long events, but his predecessors, Charles Michel and Donald Tusk, often stretched them over two days or longer. During the Brexit negotiations, EU negotiators were accused of dragging out discussions to exhaust their UK counterparts into making last-minute concessions. In the world of diplomacy, turning up late isn’t just about poor time management—it’s often a deliberate move in the game of power and influence.
5. Cultural Perceptions of Lateness: When Stereotypes and Strategy Collide
Lateness can also be influenced by cultural perceptions and stereotypes. In some cases, delays are written off as national traits rather than intentional slights. For example, when Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrived an hour late to an informal summit on Ukraine convened by French President Emmanuel Macron, many suspected it might be a deliberate snub. Italy had reportedly preferred the summit to be held in Brussels rather than Paris, fueling speculation about her intentions. However, the situation was eventually laughed off, with some attributing the delay to the stereotypical Italian tendency to be late. While the incident didn’t escalate into a diplomatic crisis, it highlights how cultural perceptions can color interpretations of lateness in political contexts. In other cases, delays can be used to send subtle messages. For instance, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev stormed out of a meeting with Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milojko Spajić in June 2024 because Spajić was four minutes late. The incident underscored how some leaders take punctuality extremely seriously and view lateness as a sign of disrespect.
6. The Bigger Picture: Why Lateness Matters in Politics
In the world of diplomacy, every detail matters, and lateness is no exception. Whether intentional or accidental, being late can shape perceptions, strain relationships, and even influence outcomes. For leaders like Putin, lateness is a tool used to project power and assert dominance. For others, it might be a result of cultural norms or logistical challenges. In the case of the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting, the 20-minute delay may have contributed to the tense atmosphere, though it’s impossible to know for sure. What’s clear, however, is that lateness is more than just a minor inconvenience in politics—it’s a part of the game, where seconds can be as significant as statements. As diplomacy continues to evolve, the unspoken rules of timing will likely remain a crucial factor in shaping international relations. After all, in the high-stakes world of politics, being on time—or not—can say a lot more than words ever could.
