Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) characterized the controversial meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Voldimee Zelensky on Friday as a “bad day” of US foreign policy.
“A bad day for American foreign policy. Ukraine wants independence, the free market, and the rule of law. It wants to be part of the West. Russia hates us and the values of the West. It is clear that we represent freedom.”
When Zelensky visited Washington on Friday, President Trump and Vice President Vance struck Ukrainian leaders, saying he was ungrateful to the multi-billion dollar aid the US fought to Eastern European countries, and that he had little leverage in negotiations with Russia.
The meeting was initially warm, with the commander-in-chief celebrating the courage of the Ukrainian army, but it fell off the rail after Kiev leader pushed Vance to argue that a diplomatic agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin could be falsified to end the three-year conflict.
The Ukrainian president pointed to an invasion of Russian neighbours' territory, and Putin refused to trade prisoners and returned to his previous ceasefire efforts.
“I think it would be rude to come to an oval office to try and litigate this in front of the American media,” Vance said Friday. “Now you have talent issues, and you are forcing the draft to the frontline, so we should thank the President for trying to end his conflict.”
Zelensky suggested that Washington does not feel the significance of conflict due to distance from Eastern Europe, but that may differ years from now.
“We don't tell you what we feel because we don't have anything we feel… to direct what we're trying to feel,” Trump responded. “We feel very good and it makes us feel very strong. You're not in a very good position right now.”
“You don't have a card now. With us, you have a card,” the US President warns that he “gambling with millions of people, you are gambling with World War II, and what you are doing is very rude to this country, this country.
After a fiery meeting at the White House, Trump said in a true social post that the Ukrainian president is not ready to reach a peace deal.
“What comes out through emotions is amazing. President Zelensky has determined that if America is involved he is not ready for peace because he feels our involvement will bring him a great advantage in negotiations,” Trump wrote. “I don't want any advantage, I want peace. He downplayed the United States in his precious oval office. He can come back when he is ready for peace.”
Zelensky left the White House. The joint press conference scheduled after the meeting has been cancelled.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio thank you After a fierce flock with Trump and Zelensky on Friday, he said, “We stand up to America in a way the president has never had the courage to go before. Thank you for putting America first. America is with you!”
-MyChael Schnell contributed
