Former Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) attacked President Trump and Vice President Vance late Friday over a joint clash with Ukrainian President Voldimi Zelensky at the White House.
Kinzinger, who emerged in one of Trump's most vocal critics, said after the exchange that the US was “not a good man” in an ongoing debate about how to end the war in Eastern Europe.
“Sorry, I hate to say this…but the US is not the good guy of this right now. We were clear. Donald Trump says everything is good about Russia, he told CNN in an interview.
“When he said yesterday, we were so shocked. This is the moment we are in and this should be embarrassing for all Americans,” he told host Dana Bash, referring to Trump, who appears to be backtracking Thursday on Thursday about his pointy criticism of Zelensky.
The meeting with the US-Ukrainian delegation on Friday began in a warm tone, but it was eventually overthrown after a controversial round trip. Vance told the Ukrainian president that Trump is working on a peace deal with Russia. Zelensky pushed back, claiming that Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously broken many ceasefires.
In response, Vance called Zelensky “disrespectful” to “litigate debates in front of the American media,” and said he should be grateful that the president is “trying to end his conflict.”
“Right now, you're forcing military drafters to the forefront because of talent issues. We should thank the President for trying to put an end to this conflict,” the Vice President said.
Zelensky argued that Washington did not feel the direct significance of the three-year conflict as the US is far from Eastern Europe. This prompted the point that urged a strong rebuttal from Trump, where Ukrainian leaders repeatedly debated that he “doesn't have the card” to negotiate peace, and Zelenki was asked to leave the White House.
In a post about the True Society following the tense forum, the president said his Ukrainian counterpart was not ready for a peace deal and “overestimated” his hand.
Zelensky said in an interview with Fox News' Bret Baier late Friday that he would not apologise for the heated debate. However, on Saturday morning he tried to clarify some of his remarks, Long thread With Social Platform X, long-term peace in Eastern Europe will make brokers “difficult” without Washington's support.
Trump and Vance endured criticism from Democrats, and the top Western Europe officials stood firm behind Zelensky.
“The free world needs a new leader,” said Kaja Karas, head of foreign policy for the European Union, on Friday after a fierce spar extension between us and Ukrainian leaders.
When asked about Karas' comments, Kinzinger said foreign leaders should not “bow” on the US president, particularly those leading the country during active conflicts.
“What is the message that he sends to his squad, as he comes here and sends?”
“Boy, I'm sending you a message that our future doesn't depend on your ability to stay or fight, but on whether or not I can ho to the toddlers I want to be.
