The argument between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Friday in the Oval Office sent a sonic boom around Washington, D.C.
Talks between Trump and Zelenskyy came to an abrupt end after the leaders raised their voices at one another over finding a diplomatic end to the war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy’s premature departure from the White House has led to power players in world politics to take sides.
One shocking statement in the meeting’s aftermath came from Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., one of Zelenskyy’s strongest allies in the Senate since the war started. Zelenskyy’s behavior caused Graham to completely flip on the Ukrainian leader. The South Carolina senator said the meeting was a “complete, utter disaster,” for Zelenskyy.
“What I saw in the Oval Office was disrespectful, and I don’t know if we could ever do business with Zelenskyy again. I think most Americans saw a guy that they would not want to go in business with, the way [Zelenskyy] handled the meeting,” Graham said, adding that Zelenskyy “was just over the top.”
As for Trump, Graham said, “I have never been more proud of the president.” He also expressed support for Vice President JD Vance, saying, “I was very proud of JD Vance, standing up for our country.”
Graham told reporters that Zelenskyy’s behavior was so poor that “[Zelenskyy] either needs to resign and send somebody over that we can do business with, or he needs to change.” Ukraine was supposed to have elections in April 2024, but Zelenskyy suspended them. He was elected in 2019.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s comment on X was short. Hegseth posted, “Amen, Mr. President,” with a screenshot of Trump’s Truth Social post about why and how talks broke down.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, also took to X, thanking Trump and Vance “for standing up for OUR COUNTRY and putting America first.”
Appreciative words also came from two Jims on X. Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., said, “Glad to have a [president] and [VP] in charge that absolutely put America FIRST,” in an X post. Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., wrote, “Thank you President Trump for standing up for America!”
Meanwhile, European politicians, many of whom represent countries protected by the American nuclear umbrella, aired their support for Ukraine on X.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who, in his meeting with Trump earlier this week, went back and forth in a friendly manner about European support for Ukraine, posted on X, “There is an aggressor: Russia. There is a people under attack: Ukraine.”
“We were all right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago and to continue to do so. We are Americans, Europeans, Canadians, Japanese and many others,” Macron continued. “Thanks to all those who helped and continue. And respect to those who, since the beginning, have been fighting. Because they are fighting for their dignity, their independence, for their children and for the security of Europe.”
Outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz took to X to say, “Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians do. Therefore we are working on a common path to a lasting and just peace. Ukraine can rely on Germany – and on Europe.” Zelenskyy, however, rebuffed Trump’s desire for a ceasefire in the Oval Office meeting.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a native Belgian, wrote in Ukrainian to Zelenskyy on X that “Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Be strong, be brave, be fearless.”
Trump did have one European leader come to his defense: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. “Strong men make peace, weak men make war. Today President [Trump] stood bravely for peace,” Orban posted on X. “Even if it was difficult for many to digest. Thank you, Mr. President!”
The hard truth for Zelenskyy and European leaders is that while they hold pens, Trump and the United States still hold the sword.
This article was originally published at www.dailysignal.com
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