The World watches live barroom fight in Oval Office
And the cause of peace suffers a huge setback
What a disaster! Three men – Zelenskyy, Trump and Vance – lose their cool in front of the cameras, and the Russians love it.
The deal that was on offer for Ukraine’s president Zelenskyy from the White House wasn’t exactly palatable. If Ukraine shares mineral revenues with the US, then the presence of American workers and assets would supposedly deter Russia from further aggression. Sell up to us, or face an even worse bully. It resembles a protection racket, but without any convincing protection in the form of security guarantees.
Now that this Trumpian deal appears to be off, Ukraine risks losing more than just American military hardware waiting to be shipped: it also risks losing military intel and Musk’s Starlink, without which they start to lose battles and hence lose more territory.
Zelenskyy always had the option not to sign the deal and to walk away – and then just smile for the cameras. He didn’t have to get into an argument with his hosts in front of the world’s media and get himself kicked out of the White House. Zelenskyy may not have calculated on Trump’s sensitivity to any slight and his readiness to fire anyone who disagrees.
While trying hard to stand up to a pair of bullies, Zelenskyy petulantly suggested that even America could one day feel what it’s like to be attacked. It didn’t work.
Straight after the meeting, Trump declared that Zelensky is “not ready for peace”, while Zelenskyy was reduced to effusively thanking Americans and their leaders.
He may have just been kicked out without his lunch, but it seems he’s not as ungrateful as JD Vance said he was after all. Nonetheless, Americans’ reactions were, as usual, divided. Democrats leapt to Zelenskyy’s defence; Republicans largely dismissed him.
European leaders were quick to say on X that they’re still backing Ukraine all the way.
Putin, on the other hand, must have been delighted by the collapse of Zelenskyy’s mission.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said on Telegram that “Zelensky’s biggest lie of all his lies” was his claim during the White House meeting “that the Kiev regime was left alone in 2022, without support. That Trump and Vance refrained from punching this scumbag is a miracle of restraint”.
A possible outcome of this diplomatic fiasco is that Ukraine remains sidelined from negotiations, and then it all comes down to whatever Trump and Putin can agree on, if anything. The Russians have so far conceded nothing and their attacks continue.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is hardly winning hearts and minds in Ukraine. Referring to the proposed minerals deal, Ukrainian author Andrey Kurkov commented:
“Older Ukrainians, who grew up in the Soviet Union, have recognised in this situation the US that was depicted by Soviet propaganda cartoons as a nation of greedy, irresponsible, grab-what-you-can capitalists, who spat on complex problems and had eyes only for dollar superprofits.”
Update: click here for a good summation of the Ukranian reactions to the Oval Office meeting.
Nonetheless, the Ukrainians need the Americans, and the diplomatic conversation needs a reboot.
Talking afterwards on Fox News, Zelenskyy wasn’t apologising for his part in the fracas. He said he’d been open and direct, and he’s not giving up on the relationship with the US. And good on him for keeping that media appointment.
A call from Republican Senator Lindsey Graham for Zelenskyy to either resign or to change didn’t bother Zelenskyy. He pointed out that his position is a matter for the Ukrainian people to decide on. Elections have been postponed in Ukraine while martial law is in force, but he didn’t mention that.
The body language said it all. (Source, Washington Post.)
This is appallingly sad. I was born after WW2, so in my lifetime it's the one of the worst abuses of dictators, that is Trump and Putin. It's not clear how much the remainder of the West can or will help Ukraine now, so I suspect they are doomed to fall. Then I believe the Russian thugs will indulge in quite a bit of "cleaning up"and recrimination ie: mass executions of the Ukranian military and supporters. And I believe Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, and maybe Poland will be trembling.
Then China and Nth Korea will be emboldened to have a go with their respective claims.
Just one question: are there any decent humans left in the Republican Party? Maybe theres one or two, but reports of death threats against them and family would silence them.
This is striking at a key fault line in the Republican Party. The MAGA Republicans, about 30% of the electorate, go along with Trump and Tucker Carlson. But the centre right, the approx. 15% who used to be the core of the GOP, are horrified.
America is the goodies, not the baddies. Trump lining America up with Putin and Putin’s Russia? Who invaded Ukraine? Who voted in the UN recently against a motion condemning the Russian invasion, along with Russia, North Korea, Iran and the usual motley crew, and against pretty well all the rest of the world. Kicking NATO to the curb. Trashing alliances, partnerships, arrangements and relationships established over decades, at great cost (and also greater benefit) for Americans. They are spitting.