By Stieven Ramdharie, April 2, 2025

What if peace wasn’t something to be fought for, but something to be *mirrored*? In a surreal twist of world history, a recent summit in Geneva ended the centuries-old East-West conflict – not through treaties or threats, but with laughter, reflection, and unexpected wisdom borrowed from an ancient tale.

The Painting and the Mirror

Long ago, a Chinese emperor commissioned two groups of artists — one Chinese, one Greek — to decorate opposite walls. A barrier was erected between them. The Chinese painted breathtaking mountains and rivers with delicate brushwork. The Greeks, instead of painting, polished their wall into a perfect mirror. When the screen was removed, the Chinese art reflected with serene beauty onto the Greek wall, revealing a deeper harmony — not created by control, but by resonance. This ancient parable became the unexpected metaphor at the heart of the Geneva summit.

A Mirror Between Leaders

World leaders arrived tense. U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were symbols of long-standing discord. But as the summit unfolded, something shifted. Instead of defending positions, they began reflecting — on their roles, their fears, and even their illusions.

Trump, holding up a literal funhouse mirror, quipped: “I thought Vladimir was the bad guy stealing my democracy. Turns out, we’re both showmen with scripts.” Putin laughed: “And I thought you were a cowboy chasing my vodka! What nonsense we’ve believed.” Zelensky added, “I thought I was the hero in a Western drama. But I’m just a human being, like both of you.”

Peace as Reflection

Instead of signing traditional treaties, the leaders signed what they called *The Mirror Accord*. They agreed to cease hostilities, lift sanctions, and exchange culture through comedy, shared meals, and karaoke nights. NATO and Russian exercises would now include joint performances of ‘Sweet Caroline’. Mark Rutte, the new Secretary-General of NATO, called it a ‘deeply Dutch solution — no pushing, just polishing.’

Schiedam’s Spirit and the Vodka Clause

The town of Schiedam, famous for its 750-year history and distillation craft, unknowingly played a role. The Brewer’s No.1 vodka, distilled in the historic ‘Dani’s Still’, was chosen as the celebratory drink of the summit. As part of the deal, Russia agreed to supply this vodka to the U.S. for one year. It was a moment where heritage, humor, and harmony met in a single toast.

Reflections Moving Forward

In a poetic twist, the leaders weren’t trying to win — they were trying to understand. Much like the Chinese artist who paints, and the Greek artist who polishes, the East and West learned to see themselves in each other’s light. Instead of building walls, they mirrored the beauty already present.

The final summit photo shows the three leaders laughing — not because the world changed overnight, but because they finally saw that the world was never really divided. It was always a matter of reflection.