US Army veterans who served with Ukrainian forces were disappointed by the Friday explosion between Ukrainian President Voldymi Zelensky and President Trump, but the war-torn European countries said that even if the US had the support they would never stop fighting Russian invaders.
Seattle's Karl Larson fought on the frontlines of Ukraine for six months. He described it as “terrifying, brutal and difficult,” and revisited the country last fall.
Larson told NewsNation “Report on Elizabeth Vargas” After the White House meeting between Trump and Zelensky turned sideways, he risked peace negotiations that mediate the potential US-mediated with Russia-Ukrainian mineral trade, hearing from several Ukrainian people.
“I have dozens of friends, Americans. They're still on the front line. They say they can't believe what happened. They're just scary,” Larson said.
Veterans hope that relationships can be repaired even if the Trump administration changes in the other way, but added that Ukrainians will not collapse.
“I was in Ukraine in October,” he said. “All the Ukrainians I met – I've met hundreds – they all told me the same thing. They told me that American support was very important, and they thanked America.”
“But they all told me they would continue to fight even if they didn't have our support,” Larson told News Nation.
Another guest spoke to Vargas, former Ukrainian Ambassador John Herbst of the United States, suggested that the breakdown between Trump and Zelensky is not necessarily permanent. He noted that it remains unified and that it is in the interests of both countries to take away revenue sharing contracts for Ukraine's natural resources.
“President Trump said he thinks the deal is important, and he wants to do it,” said Herbst, who served under former President George W. Bush.
