Are you allowed to joke about the Russian war of aggression? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a comedian in his former job, recently answered the question by telling one on a US talk show. Although the punchline was directed against the NATO countries, he earned many laughs.

Anyone who asks Annalena Baerbock’s office about the handmade speech she is supposed to give soon will find less coolness. The Federal Foreign Minister’s team of speechwriters seems to be sweating a lot right now. After all, the last shit storm hasn’t quite worn off yet. Even the smallest slip of the tongue can lead to Twitter trouble or diplomatic upsets. How to master this complicated task?

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