As the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine unfolds in their slow-motion pace, the prospect of an US withdrawal from the process becomes ever closer – and the real opinion of President Donald J. Trump regarding Kiev leader Volodymyr Zelensky is coming to the surface – and it’s not a good one.
We have seen several signs that the distance between the US and Ukraine is widening fast, like Special Envoy Keith Kellogg – usually the most Pro-Kiev voice in the administration – taking an increasingly tougher approach regarding Ukraine.
But there’s more: Pete Hegseth skipped yesterday’s (4) meeting of the ‘Ramstein’ Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) – a first for a US Secretary of Defense.
On the same day, we learned that the Trump administration has notified Congress that some anti-drone technology once destined to Ukraine has been instead redirected for US troops in the Middle East.
Finally, yesterday also saw a NYT article reporting on the phone call between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin – and it says a lot about Zelensky too.
‘Good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace’.” Trump said of the call with Putin.
Trump has recently expressed frustration with both Putin and Zelensky, but is particularly criticizing Zelensky, while maintaining a more neutral stance towards Putin: ‘President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields’ – he wrote.
The New York Times Reported:
“Mr. Trump expressed frustration with both Mr. Putin and Mr. Zelensky, particularly lacerating Mr. Zelensky, while displaying some deference to Mr. Putin despite having been disappointed by him in the past.
[…] He has repeatedly criticized Mr. Zelensky since the drone attack, suggesting that the Ukrainian leader was trying to drag the United States into a broader conflict.
[…] Mr. Trump has also called Mr. Zelensky ungrateful for the assistance the United States has already provided and said that he was partly to blame for Russia’s invasion because he had not done enough to root out corruption in his government.”
Not that Trump’s lack of appreciation for the ‘mildly successful’ comedian was any secret.
Who can forget the grilling of Zelensky in February’s Oval Office spat?
“You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people; you’re gambling with World War three and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to this country.”
“You’re not acting at all thankful. And that’s not a nice thing. I’ll be honest, that’s not a nice thing.”
“You don’t have the cards right now. You’re buried there. Your people are dying. You’re running low on soldiers.”
“You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out. And if we’re out, you’ll fight it out. I don’t think it’s going to be pretty, but you’ll fight it out.”
After kicking out Zelensky and his team from the White House, Trump went even further in his attacks:
“A Dictator without Elections, Zelensky better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left.”
“I have determined that President Zelensky is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE.”
Ever since then, the criticism hasn’t stopped.
March: “He took money out of this country under Biden like candy from a baby … I just don’t think he’s grateful.”
April: “If you’re smart, you don’t go getting involved in Wars with someone 20 times bigger … I don’t think he’s done a great job; I’m really not a big fan.”
“It’s inflammatory statements like Zelensky’s that makes it so difficult to settle this War.”
May: “He’s always looking to purchase missiles. Listen, when you start a war, you gotta know you can win a war. You don’t start a war against somebody that’s 20 times your size and then hope that people give you some missiles.”
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