My Take on the Trump-Zelensky Meeting
By DB
@dgobucks226 (36490)
March 2, 2025 11:06am CST
When you're losing a war, you don't come into a meeting with our president and "dictate" the terms of peace. We all understand Russia was the aggressor, but we can't go back in time. The invasion happened under the Biden administration and Trump is trying to salvage the best outcome for Ukraine by stopping this war and the killing. Over 1 million people have already been killed in this war on both sides, for Ukraine it's one-quarter of their population.
The U.S. negotiating with evil Dictators like Putin is nothing new. Our country had to do the same thing during and after WW II appeasing the Communist Dictator Stalin, who on a scale with Putin was 10 times worse in my view. It's called "Diplomacy" Mr. Zelensky.
Yes, Putin might possibly break his word on a peace agreement. So, what is the alternative? Continue to fight a war that is killing your people that you will ultimately lose. This President will take steps to hold Putin accountable unlike the previous administration whose Vice-President (Harris) set off the invasion in the first place by advocating for Ukraine's inclusion in NATO. The minerals agreement puts U.S. interests in Ukraine and President Trump will protect those interests, and the Ukrainian people once a deal is reached and peace can finally be secured.
Zelensky is delusional if he actually thinks Ukraine can outlast Russia in this conflict and ultimately win. Without America's billions and billions of dollars to provide weapons support, Ukraine would have been defeated a long time ago. Zelensky should have come into this press conference with contrition, yet he continuously interrupted Trump when he was speaking, acting entitled to the aid the U.S. provided him.
Zelensky asking us to become directly involved militarily in this war by guaranteeing Ukraine's security will not be popular with the majority of American people. President Trump wants peace not a continuation of the killing. A military presence would only escalate the tension. And being belligerent and disrespectful to the president and the people of the United States in the Oval office who are trying to help you is not in the best interests of your country and citizens.
Mr. Zelensky has been doing his "begging for money tour" for years now and what has it gotten Ukraine? No where, parts of his country and population are being destroyed every day. Does he think criticizing Putin will make him more inclined to come to the table and sign a peace deal. Whatever Zelensky was thinking coming into the White House with such an arrogant attitude he grossly miscalculated the outcome.
The reaction of the Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. said it all!
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4 people like this
4 responses
@ptrikha_2 (47889)
• India
2 Mar
While I think Donald Trump tends to be a bit more direct & frank than needed in his interactions with other leaders, Zelensky ought to have more diplomatic.
He could have come with a plan to start the negotiations and persuade US to see more of his interests.
From what has happened, I do not see many good hopes for the war to end soon, although I still think that Russia won't be benefiting from any more prolonging of the war.
Their own people do not want that.
3 people like this
@FourWalls (74755)
• United States
2 Mar
That is what makes me despise iDJiT so much. He doesn’t have a diplomatic bone in his body. He could have addressed this in a way that would have made him look like he’d done his homework (see my longer reply) instead of just being a moron that now much of the world is angry (angrier) at. Despite what he thinks, we cannot live in isolationism. We need trade, both for the things we make and the things we need. Pissing off nations that have been allies for centuries is NOT a good approach to anything.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (36490)
•
4 Mar
Yes, Trump can come off as a bully at times especially when disrespected. I saw the meeting in this way:
The White House presser in the Oval Office was supposed to be a photo op on minerals deal agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine. For Zelensky to demand security assurances from President Trump in front of the media after he agreed in principle to the deal was arrogant. If he was not satisfied with the terms of the mineral agreement why agree to sign, and when the cameras were rolling create an embarrassing scene in front of the public. I thought Trump was very restrained until Zelensky showed no gratitude for the efforts of the United States to secure a ceasefire and eventually peace.
Zelensky's country is in a subordinate position and without American aid his country will be decimated and nowhere. You don't bite the hand that feeds you!
@FourWalls (74755)
• United States
2 Mar
As usual, Trump played his cards all wrong and now looks like the big jerk that he, truthfully, is.
Consider this approach:
“Mr. Zelenskyy, our country has given you over $182 billion since the war started. Of course, we’re committed to democracy around the world. However, sir, according to the Corruption Perceptions Index, which is monitored by the international, nonpartisan agency Transparency International, the Ukrainian government’s corruption rating puts your nation at 105th in the world, out of 180 countries. That is a terrible corruption rating. With all of the corruption we’ve endured in the United States, we are 28th in the world, showing that our ‘political corruption’ pales in comparison to Ukrainian political corruption. You, sir, ran on a platform of removing political corruption from the Ukrainian government. This international agency, which, again, the US does not own or operate, shows that you are not succeeding in that endeavor. Meanwhile, here in America, our citizens are living in trailers and tents because we can’t get assistance to them after two devastating hurricanes that destroyed lives, property, and American infrastructure.
“To that end, sir, on behalf of the American taxpayers who have given this money that has been sent without any strings attached previously, our new administration calls on you to please give us an accounting of how you have used this money we have sent you. We would also like to see a repayment timeline schedule.”
See, if he’d mentioned the corruption rampant in Ukrainian government instead of acting like a jackass, not only would Americans be applauding him but other nations would be asking the same question: “How HAVE you been spending the money we’ve given you?”
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (36490)
•
4 Mar
I see the meeting from a different perspective.
The White House presser in the Oval Office was supposed to be a photo op on minerals deal agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine. For Zelensky to demand security assurances from President Trump in front of the media after he agreed in principle to the deal was arrogant. If he was not satisfied with the terms of the mineral agreement why agree to sign, and when the cameras were rolling create an embarrassing scene in front of the public. I thought Trump was very restrained until Zelensky showed no gratitude for the efforts of the United States to secure a ceasefire and eventually peace.
I believe Zelensky was swayed to renegotiate and attach security demands by the Democrats on the minerals deal and peace deal, instead choosing to "relitigate" discussions in public when they should have taken place in private. Zelensky had no regret in how he handled the meeting with Trump. He should have apologized to the President for his actions. Listening to the Dems advice was a major mistake!
Of course, hindsight is 20-20. But your comments are duly noted and well thought out and would have been better aired behind closed doors. And perhaps something similar to that was mentioned by Rubio and staff when discussing peace, who knows. But Zelensky misread the room, the President, and "his cards." His country is in a subordinate position and without American aid his country will be decimated and nowhere. You don't bite the hand that feeds you!
And Trump does say some foolish things, but that's not a surprise anymore. If you want a President who is looking out for the country's best interests, you judge his accomplishments not his personality, which I agree can be insensitive and insulting at times.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (94783)
• Arvada, Colorado
3 Mar
Z is playing right into Putins plans, easily.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (36490)
•
4 Mar
The American people are tired of sending their dollars to Ukraine in a never-ending war. Democrats trying to sabotage the peace talks by convincing Zelensky by to demand security when he had agreed to sign the minerals deal was a mistake. Advising him to re-negotiate in front of the press because you hate Trump was shameful, especially considering the enormous Ukrainian loss of life that is occurring. Of course, none of the Democrats children are going to fight in Ukraine.
1 person likes this
No argument here
@NJChicaa (122854)
• United States
2 Mar
Trump had no business trying to make some kind of peace deal with Russia without Ukraine being involved. Good for Zelenskyy for standing up to him and Vance. The Ukrainians have been incredibly brave and deserve all of our support. If they fall then Russia will invade a NATO country and Article 5 will be triggered. They have been fighting to keep us and all of Europe out of war.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (36490)
•
4 Mar
Ukraine is involved. The mineral deal was presented to Zelensky as a first step toward finding a path to peace. By putting U.S. companies into Ukraine to mine minerals Putin now has to consider what happens if he endangers American lives by breaking the treaty and invading again. He should know Trump would not stand for this and will respond accordingly.
The Ukrainians have had our financial support for 3 years. At the tune of at least 200 billion with no monetary return on what we invested. Has Europe contributed even a fraction of this amount, and their contributions are in the form of a loan. Another stupid thing Biden did as president no guarantee of repayment, while Americans are in need of aid at home.
You are parroting a legacy media position with your Article 5 argument. You don't know what is going to happen. What's the solution start WW III by escalating the conflict with soldiers?
Here are some other points to consider about the meeting.
The White House presser in the Oval Office was supposed to be a photo op on minerals deal agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine. For Zelensky to demand security assurances from President Trump in front of the media after he agreed in principle to the deal was arrogant. If he was not satisfied with the terms of the mineral agreement why agree to sign, and when the cameras were rolling create an embarrassing scene in front of the public. I thought Trump was very restrained until Zelensky showed no gratitude for the efforts of the United States to secure a ceasefire and eventually peace.
I believe Zelensky was swayed to renegotiate and attach security demands by the Democrats (Chris Murphy from Conn specifically) on the minerals deal and peace deal instead choosing to "relitigate" discussions in public when they should have taken place in private. Zelensky had no regret in how he handled the meeting with Trump. He should have apologized to the President for his actions. Listening to the Dems advice was a major mistake!
The American people are tired of sending their dollars to Ukraine in an never ending war. Democrats trying to sabotage the peace talks when an enormous Ukrainian loss of life is occurring because they hate Trump, and don't want him to succeed is shameful. I doubt most U.S. parents would not want their children fighting and being killed in a foreign land if it can be avoided. We've done the useless wars thing and has not turned out very well.
Anyway, that's my opinion and I believe I responded to all of your comments and questions.
