CNN and MSNBC are going to spend this weekend hosting a parade of Democrats to say how ashamed they are to be Americans — what’s new? — and what a hero Volodymyr Zelensky is after that thorough reality check he just received from President Trump and Vice President Vance. But the most important thing to take away from the Oval Office clash between the three on Friday is that Zelensky just wasted his country’s time, and he is to blame for every Ukrainian death that happens between now and the end of his war.

The Ukrainian president was in Washington to supposedly sign an agreement with the U.S. that would initiate an economic partnership between both parties and also set in motion a peace settlement of the war with Russia. It’s impossible to believe he came to town sincere about any of it after he attempted to lecture Vance on the war and rebuffed the administration’s diplomatic efforts with Russia.

“What kind of diplomacy, J.D., [are you] speaking about?” Zelensky said, leaning forward in his chair toward the vice president. “What do you mean?” When Vance proceeded to answer, Zelensky interrupted him. And then the little international welfare recipient suggested that the U.S. is just as much on the hook in his war as he is. “First of all, during the war, everybody has problems,” he said. “Even you, but you have [a] nice ocean and don’t feel [it] now, but you will feel it in the future.”

What followed was a “Scared Straight”-style verbal beat down with Zelensky playing the part of the out-of-control delinquent and Trump and Vance as the hardened inmates in his face. It was fun to watch, but the lack of grace from Zelensky was astounding. He was a guest in someone else’s home. That he would use the opportunity to speak to his host like he runs the show, while continuing to ask that very host for money, is wildly offensive and speaks to some degree of sociopathy.

Zelensky attempted to talk over and interject, as if he’s on equal footing with the president and vice president of the United States. Maybe that’s what the past three years of glorification and servitude from the Biden Administration, Hollywood, and even plenty of Republicans led him to believe. He was certainly given bad information.

Either Zelensky hasn’t been paying attention to what Trump has been saying about Ukraine for the past three years, or he’s woefully incapable of negotiating toward peace on behalf of his country. Without support from the U.S., Ukraine has no leverage in peace talks with Russia. Zelensky could try getting the European Union to pick up any slack, but the track record of those nations confronting Russia should inspire no confidence. He needs us, not the other way around.

To the extent that the war in Ukraine is our problem, it’s because the previous administration made it ours by first refusing to engage Russia diplomatically before the war and then prolonging the conflict by funding it. That this administration continues to take an interest is largely as a courtesy to nervous European allies. When you’ve come to someone for a major favor, it’s not a good idea to question them in their own home, especially when that someone is only reluctantly being of assistance. It’s best to say thank you and then otherwise keep your mouth shut.

After the Oval Office meeting ended, Zelensky left the White House and the joint press conference with him and Trump was canceled. Zelensky squandered an opportunity he might very well not see again, and his people will continue to die if he doesn’t learn to show some humility and gratitude.