On Feb. 28, Ukraine President Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump met at the Oval Office to discuss a minerals deal between the countries before going absolutely awol. In a tense, 45 min. meeting, Trump and Vice President JD Vance berating Zelenskyy for disrespecting the White House and insisting on repaying the United States more than $180 billion dollars in American aid sent to Kyviv – all happening in front of the news media. The tense meeting was a lot to digest for not only the American people, but the United States’ European allies who are in cohorts with both countries (aka NATO). From insulting Zelenskyy’s outfit choice to Trump stating the Ukrainian president is gambling with WWIII, the outcome of this meeting has left the people with contrasting perspectives and SNL plentiful material for their skit.
The Global Scale
Previous to this meeting, Ukraine and the United States had a great diplomatic and economic relationship since the country’s separation from the Soviet Union in 1991. Essentially, we are allies along with the majority of Europe. The U.S. and Ukraine have a bilateral investment treaty. The U.S. exports materials like machinery, vehicles, aircraft, agricultural products and coal to Ukraine in exchange for iron, oil, steel and inorganic chemicals. With an important economic relationship and allyship between the countries, especially in a time of war, this meeting puts a great strain on these factors.
Following the U.S. and Ukraine meeting, President Zelenskyy met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer who expressed that the country will continue to be fully backed by the United Kingdom. Zelenskyy and Starmer signed a £2.26bn loan for Ukrainian military supplies that will be repaid using profits from frozen Russian Assets.
Other European allies like France’s president Emmanuel Macron and Luxembourg’s prime minister Luc Friedan shared their support for Ukraine on X.
“Putting America First”
Most Republican senators and congressmen have fallen behind Trump and emphasize his message towards Zelenskyy and Ukraine. They share opinions about Zelenskyy resigning and creating a peace deal with Russia. Sen. Lindsay Graham, who has shared support for Ukraine, condemned Zelenskyy and shared how he “either needs to resign and send somebody over that we can do business with, or he needs to change.”
Trump has shared he wants to put America first, which the Republican party has heavily resonated with as he publicly condemns Ukraine and proposes policy with patriotic undertones. Every statement from the Trump Administration is presented with the idea of putting the American people as priority – even if the rhetoric comes off extreme and hateful. His message is translated as ‘tough’ and ‘fierce.’
“A Stab to the Back of Our Allies”
As for the Democratic party, their perspective strikingly contrasts the right. Heartbreaking, embarrassing and upsetting are few words that sum up the Oval office meeting according to the left. Senate Minority Chuck stated Trump and Vance are doing Putin’s dirty work.
Several congressmen and representatives shared their thoughts to X about the disgraceful meeting between both leaders. Specifically speaking to Trump’s harshness towards Zelenskyy’s lack of gratefulness, Sen. Chris Coons shared an opposing view.
“Every time I’ve met with President Zelenskyy, he’s thanked the American people for our strong support. We owe him our thanks for leading a nation fighting on the front lines of democracy – not the public berating he received at the White House,”
said Coons.
What were your thoughts on the Oval office meeting? Let us know @VALLEYmag on X.
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